National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)
Background
When we hear the word textiles, we usually imagine cotton, silk, or fashionable clothes. But beyond these, there exists a special category called Technical Textiles. These are not made for beauty or comfort, but for function and performance — like bulletproof jackets, fireproof suits, airbags in cars, surgical masks, or high-altitude combat gear.
Recognising their strategic and economic importance, the Government launched the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM).
Quick Facts
- Purpose: Increase the use of technical textiles in India and make India a global leader in this sector.
- Type: Central Sector Scheme (entirely funded by the Central Government).
- Tenure: 2020-21 to 2025-26.
- Promotion of Make in India: By developing indigenous machinery and equipment for technical textiles.
Objectives
The mission is not just about making fabrics; it is about transforming industries. Its objectives are:
- To position India as a global leader in technical textiles.
- To promote their usage in flagship government programmes and missions (like Jal Jeevan Mission, PMGSY, Smart Cities, etc.).
- To ensure cost efficiency, conserve water and soil, improve agricultural productivity, and ultimately raise farmers’ income.
Salient Features
The mission has four major components:
(i) Research, Innovation and Development
- Focus on both fundamental research (at fibre level) and application-based research.
- ₹1,000 crore allocated to support research projects through premier institutes, government bodies, and Textile Research Associations (TRAs).
(ii) Promotion and Market Development
- Aim: Achieve an average annual growth rate of 15–20%, expanding India’s domestic market to USD 40–50 billion by 2024.
- Includes international collaborations, investment promotion, and ‘Make in India’ efforts.
(iii) Export Promotion
- A dedicated Export Promotion Council for Technical Textiles will be set up.
- Target: Ensure 10% annual export growth up to 2023–24.
(iv) Education, Training, and Skill Development
- Promote technical education at higher levels of engineering and technology.
- Establish innovation and incubation centres.
- Encourage startups and ventures in technical textiles.
Additional Features
- Eco-friendly focus: Develop technology for environmentally sustainable disposal of used technical textiles.
- GIST (Grant for Internship Support in Technical Textiles): Provides up to ₹20,000 per student per month (for 2 months) to strengthen academic-industry linkages.
- Three-tier Implementation Mechanism:
- Tier I: Mission Steering Group (led by Textile Minister).
- Tier II: Empowered Programme Committee (led by Textile Secretary).
- Tier III: Committee on Research, Development & Innovation (chaired by a NITI Aayog member).
About Technical Textiles
- They are functional fabrics with applications across sectors:
Automobiles, civil engineering, construction, agriculture, healthcare, industrial safety, and personal protection. - Manufactured primarily for performance and functional properties, not aesthetics.
- Examples: Bulletproof jackets, fireproof suits, airbags, high-altitude gear.
✅ In short:
This mission aims to make India not just a consumer but a global hub for technical textiles, linking research, industry, exports, and skill development, while also supporting farmers and industries with innovative textile solutions.