The University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched Phase-II of the Technical Textiles Internship Programme under the Grant for Internship Support in Technical Textiles (GIST) 2.0 initiative, aimed at developing industry-ready talent for India’s rapidly expanding technical textiles sector. The programme offers eligible B.Tech and undergraduate students a monthly stipend of up to ₹20,000 while providing hands-on exposure through industry-led projects.
The internship programme is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industrial requirements by enabling students to work on real-world projects in sectors such as engineering, agriculture, healthcare, fashion, infrastructure, defence, and information technology. Participants will gain practical experience in advanced textile applications while collaborating with industry partners.
Alongside the internship initiative, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has announced applications for its Ph.D. Fellowship Programme and Scholarship Scheme for Children of Handloom Weavers.
The fellowship programme is open to full-time doctoral scholars pursuing research in textile, fashion, and related disciplines. It aims to encourage industry-oriented research, innovation, and technology development to strengthen India’s textile ecosystem.
NIFT has also invited applications for scholarships supporting children of handloom weavers enrolled in diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programmes. The initiative seeks to improve access to higher education and promote skill development among families associated with India’s traditional handloom sector.
According to UGC, the Technical Textiles Internship Programme supports the Government of India’s vision of building a highly skilled workforce capable of driving innovation across technical textiles applications, including defence, medical textiles, geotextiles, protective clothing, and industrial textiles.
Eligible students and educational institutions can apply through the official UGC portal, while detailed information regarding NIFT fellowships and scholarships is available on the institute’s website.
The combined initiatives are expected to strengthen academia-industry collaboration, promote advanced textile research, and create new opportunities for students aspiring to build careers in India’s growing technical textiles and fashion sectors.
