Status of India’s Handloom & Handicrafts Industry

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Economy

Why in news?

National Conference on Handlooms & Handicrafts will be held at Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 31^st October-1^st November, 2025.

Export Value – Total handicrafts exports is approximately US $192 million, in the 2024-25 fiscal year & Handlooms for US $ 3.8 billion in FY 24.
Employment – It is the 2^nd largest source of employment in rural areas after agriculture.
It provides employment to over 3.5 million workers, with women making up about 72% of the workforce (4^th All India Handloom Census (2019–20)).
Major hubs - Surat, Varanasi, Agra, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai
Exports – Remarkably, nearly 95 % of the world’s handwoven fabric is made in India.
Major products – Home textiles, carpets, rugs, handmade woollen products, woodwares, and hand-printed textiles, etc.
Export destination – United States, UAE, Netherlands, France, United Kingdom.
Regional concentration – The North-Eastern region has a high concentration of handloom households, with Assam being the most prominent state.
Growth drivers – The sector benefits from rising global demand for sustainable and culturally rich products, supported by government export programs.

Government Initiatives

National Handloom Development Program (NHDP) – Provides support for raw materials, design inputs, technology upgrades, and marketing.
National Handicrafts Development Program (NHDP) – Offers end-to-end support for artisans, including marketing, skill development, and cluster development.
Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PM-VIKAS) – Aims to improve the quality, scale, and market reach of handicrafts.
Weaver MUDRA Scheme - Offers concessional loans to handloom weavers for working capital and technology upgrades.
SAMARTH scheme - This program focuses on skill upgradation for weavers
Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme – Supports artisans by providing technical assistance and common infrastructure.
Marketing support – Organizes events like and provides a platform for artisans through Urban Haats and exhibitions.

7^th of August is celebrated every year as National Handloom Day.

Quick Fact

National Conference on Handlooms & Handicrafts

Aim – To provide a common platform for dialogue, collaboration, and policy convergence among stakeholders and shaping a future roadmap for the Handloom & Handicraft sector.
Organized by – Offices of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms & Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles.
Twin objective – To understand the opportunities and challenges of the Handmade sector in India & to deliberate on upcoming new scheme for the sector under the Government of India.

References