Centre launches district-led textiles transformation to build export-driven growth hubs

In a major push to strengthen India’s textile sector and boost exports, the Ministry of Textiles on Wednesday announced the District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) initiative at the National Textile Ministers’ Conference held in Guwahati. The programme is designed to promote inclusive, sustainable and region-specific growth by empowering districts as the primary drivers of textile development.

Under the initiative, the ministry plans to develop 100 high-performing districts as Global Export Champions, while simultaneously upgrading 100 Aspirational Districts into self-reliant textile hubs. The strategy marks a shift from a broad sectoral approach to a focused, district-level model tailored to local strengths and challenges.

Data-Driven District Classification

The selection and categorisation of districts have been carried out through a data-based evaluation framework, assessing parameters such as export performance, strength of the MSME ecosystem, and availability of a skilled workforce. Based on this analysis, districts have been divided into two categories—Champion Districts and Aspirational Districts—each with a distinct implementation roadmap.

Targeted Interventions for Growth

For Champion Districts, the emphasis will be on scaling up operations and enhancing sophistication. Planned interventions include the establishment and upgradation of Mega Common Facility Centres (CFCs), adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, and improved access to direct international market linkages to boost export competitiveness.

In contrast, Aspirational Districts will focus on building foundational capabilities. Measures include basic skill training and certification, creation of raw material banks, and promotion of micro-enterprises through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and cooperatives, aimed at formalising and strengthening the grassroots textile ecosystem.

Focus on Purvodaya Regions

A key highlight of the DLTT initiative is its alignment with the Purvodaya vision, giving special attention to eastern and northeastern India. These regions will receive targeted support for tribal area development, improved connectivity, and Geographical Indication (GI) tagging to help position indigenous textiles and handicrafts in premium global markets.

Collaborative and Scalable Approach

The Ministry of Textiles said the initiative will be implemented through the convergence of government schemes and collaborative partnerships with industry and academic institutions. The objective is to reinforce existing textile clusters, replicate successful district-level models, and scale them across regions to achieve maximum economic and employment impact.

With the launch of DLTT, the Centre aims to strengthen India’s position in global textile value chains while ensuring balanced regional development and livelihood generation at the grassroots level.