Samarth (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector)
Background
India’s textile sector is not just about large mills — it also includes millions of people engaged in handlooms, handicrafts, sericulture, and jute. These traditional sectors are labour-intensive and form the backbone of rural livelihoods.
But the challenge is: workers often lack modern skills, leading to low productivity, poor wages, and limited competitiveness. To address this gap, the Government launched Samarth Scheme in 2017, to build capacity through skilling, upskilling, and reskilling.
Quick Facts
- Purpose: Promote skill development in traditional textile sectors (handloom, handicrafts, sericulture, jute).
- Type: Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by Central Government).
- Tenure: 2017 to March 2026
Objectives
- Deliver industry-aligned training as per NSQF (National Skills Qualification Framework).
- Enhance employment opportunities across the textile sector (excluding spinning & weaving).
- Ensure sustainable livelihoods — either through wage employment or self-employment — for all sections of society.
Salient Features
(i) Implementing Agencies
Training will be conducted by:
- Textile industry itself.
- Institutions/organizations under Ministry of Textiles or State Governments (with training infrastructure + placement tie-ups).
- Reputed NGOs, societies, trusts, startups, entrepreneurs, and training institutions linked with the textile industry.
(ii) Implementation Framework
- Training aligned with national frameworks: Common Norms and NSQF (set by Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, MSDE).
- Includes Entry-level training and Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes.
(iii) Branding of Training Centres
- All training centres must follow government-mandated branding guidelines to maintain uniform visibility of the scheme.
(iv) Selection of Trainees
- Priority is given to marginalized groups:
- Women
- SC/ST
- Differently abled persons
- Minorities
- Persons from BPL category
- Candidates from Aspirational Districts (identified by NITI Aayog).
(v) Current Status
- 3.27 lakh candidates trained.
- 2.6 lakh employed (≈79.5% placement).
- Strong women’s participation: 2.89 lakh women trained (≈88.3%)
(vi) Funding
- Scheme funds cover only the cost heads permitted under Common Norms of MSDE and approved by the Ministry of Textiles.
(vii) Technology-enabled Monitoring
- MIS (Management Information System): Integrated, web-based platform for monitoring implementation, stakeholder registration, and progress tracking.
- Aadhaar-based Biometric Attendance: Ensures real-time attendance of trainers and trainees.
- Minimum 80% attendance required for assessment.
(viii) Skill Development Focus
- Hard Skills: Domain-specific technical skills.
- Soft Skills: Life management and workplace skills for holistic development.
(ix) Assessment & Certification
- Done by a Third Party to ensure impartiality.
- Mandatory for all eligible trainees.
(x) Grievance Redressal
- Three modes: Call Centre, Mobile App, Website.
- If grievance unresolved within 15 days → escalated to Grievance Redressal Officer (GRO) at the Ministry of Textiles, to be resolved within the next 21 days.
(xi) Employment Linkage
- Courses are directly linked with industry employment.
- Entry-level training: At least 70% placement required.
- Upskilling programmes: At least 90% placement required.
Why is it Important?
- Strengthens traditional sectors that employ millions in rural India.
- Bridges the skill gap between traditional artisans and modern industry needs.
- Ensures women empowerment through focused skilling.
- Creates a direct employment linkage, making it result-oriented rather than just training-oriented.
✅ In short:
The Samarth Scheme is not just a training initiative — it is a livelihood mission for India’s traditional textile workforce. With industry-linked training, real-time monitoring, and mandatory placements, it ensures that skilling translates directly into jobs and self-employment opportunities.