National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM)

National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM): Comprehensive Study Notes

Overview and Rationale

The National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM) is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, launched in 2020 by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) to position India as a global leader in technical textiles. Technical textiles are functional, application-specific fabrics that are distinctly different from conventional textiles and serve specialized purposes across diverse industries including agriculture, healthcare, construction, automobiles, and civil engineering. With an approved budget outlay of ₹1,480 crores, the mission operates for a four-year implementation period from FY 2020-21 to 2023-24, with subsequent extension to 2025-26. The mission addresses a critical gap in India’s textile sector: while the country ranks sixth globally in textile exports with a 3.9% share, penetration of technical textiles remains significantly low at only 5-10% compared to the 30-70% penetration level in advanced countries.​

Mission Objectives and Strategic Goals

The primary objective is to strengthen India’s position in the global technical textile market and increase domestic market penetration. Specific targets include expanding the domestic market from approximately USD 22.5 billion to USD 50 billion by 2024, elevating domestic market size at a growth rate of 15-20% per annum. The mission also aims to enhance export revenues from ₹14,000 crores to ₹20,000 crores by 2021-22 and subsequently ensure 10% annual growth. Additionally, the mission focuses on developing indigenous machinery and process equipment to promote the ‘Make in India’ initiative and strengthening India’s competitive advantage in global markets.​

Four-Component Framework of NTTM

Component-I (Research, Innovation and Development): Allocated with an outlay of ₹1,000 crores, this component focuses on both fundamental research and application-based research. Fundamental research operates at fiber level, targeting development of high-grade Carbon Fibre (T-850 or equivalent), Aramid fibers, Nylon fibers, and advanced composites. Application-based research encompasses critical technical textile segments: Agrotech (crop protection and fertilization), Geotech (civil engineering and soil reinforcement), Meditech (medical and healthcare textiles), Mobiltech (automotive and aerospace applications), and Sportech (sports and performance wear). The component also emphasizes development of biodegradable technical textiles aligned with environmental sustainability goals.​

Component-II (Market Development and Promotion): This segment concentrates on accelerating market growth through international technical collaborations, investment promotion, and Make in India initiatives. The mission actively encourages integration of technical textiles in national flagship programs including Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Ayushman Bharat, thereby catalyzing broader applications and market expansion.​

Component-III (Export Promotion): An Export Promotion Council for Technical Textiles has been established to enhance coordination and promotional activities. This mechanism facilitates international partnerships and supports Indian manufacturers in accessing global markets, targeting sustained 10% annual export growth.​

Component-IV (Education, Training and Skill Development): This component promotes higher-level technical education and workforce skill development in technical textiles sectors. The mission aims to train 50,000 individuals encompassing unskilled workers and professionals seeking upskilling across various technical textile application areas.​

Institutional Mechanism and Implementation

The mission operates through a three-tier institutional structure ensuring effective coordination and monitoring. A dedicated Mission Directorate has been established within the Ministry of Textiles for program implementation, coordination, and performance evaluation. The Empowered Programme Committee (EPC), chaired by the Secretary of Textiles, serves as the final approval authority for major initiatives. Research activities utilize a pooled resource methodology, with multiple national laboratories participating in collaborative research projects.​

Key Initiatives and Impact

As of March 2025, the mission has demonstrated tangible progress with ₹517 crore allocated and ₹393.39 crore utilized across research, innovation, market development, export promotion, and skill development activities. A total of 168 research projects valued at approximately ₹509 crore have received approval. Notable achievements include the establishment of the Atal Centre of Textile Recycling and Sustainability under IIT Delhi at Panipat, demonstrating commitment to sustainable technical textile development. The mission has also pioneered the National Flag Recycling Initiative and Aramid Fibre Recycling Programme, reflecting integration of circular economy principles.​

Significance for India’s Economic Growth

The technical textile sector holds strategic importance for India’s economic development. With the global market valued at USD 272 billion in 2021, technical textiles represent an emerging opportunity to enhance GDP contribution and employment generation. The sector’s expansion is expected to create significant employment opportunities across manufacturing, research, and service segments. Furthermore, integration of technical textiles in agricultural applications promises enhanced crop protection, improved water management, and increased farmer income through productivity improvements.​

Conclusion

The National Technical Textile Mission represents a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy to transform India’s textile sector through innovation, market development, and skill enhancement. By bridging the penetration gap between India and advanced economies, while simultaneously promoting indigenous technology development and sustainable practices, the mission positions India as a formidable competitor in the global technical textile market, contributing substantially to economic growth, employment creation, and India’s vision to achieve ₹9 lakh crore textile exports by 2030.​

PIB

Ministry of textile