The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) was launched to promote and advance the technical textiles sector in India. As part of this initiative, a project titled “Development of Specialized Firefighting Suit” was awarded to the Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA), Ghaziabad, in 2023. Through this project, NITRA has successfully developed an indigenous firefighting suit that is significantly more cost-effective while offering the same performance standards as imported versions. The technology has now been transferred to a domestic manufacturer to facilitate large-scale local production.
Under NTTM, a total of 168 research projects have been sanctioned, including several aimed at creating strategically important items whose imports are restricted by producing nations. These projects are designed to strengthen indigenous production of specialty fibres and advanced technical textile products, thereby reducing reliance on imports.
Another key objective of NTTM is to promote exports of technical textiles. Towards this goal, an Export Promotion Council has been established under the Mission. India’s exports of technical textiles reached INR 24,732.68 crore in FY 2024-25, marking a 15.53% increase from the previous year and showing a ~11% CAGR over the past four years.
The export performance from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 is as follows:
- FY 2020-21: INR 16,100.51 crore (YoY growth 31.63%)
- FY 2021-22: INR 21,194.64 crore (YoY growth -5.18%)
- FY 2022-23: INR 20,095.55 crore (YoY growth 6.52%)
- FY 2023-24: INR 21,407.36 crore
- FY 2024-25: INR 24,732.68 crore (YoY growth 15.53%)
This information was shared by Union Minister for Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.