India, long celebrated as one of the world’s textile powerhouses, is charting a bold new roadmap to reclaim its global competitiveness and achieve $100 billion in textile and apparel exports by 2030. The government’s strategic plan—anchored in cost optimization, innovation, sustainability, and value-chain integration. It aims to position India as a preferred sourcing destination amid shifting global supply chains. From boosting man-made fibre production and technical textiles to developing world-class infrastructure under the PM-MITRA parks and signing key Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), India’s textile sector is gearing up for a transformative decade.
However, success will depend on how quickly the industry bridges productivity gaps, enhances quality standards, and leverages real-time trade intelligence to identify global opportunities.
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Get actionable trade insights and verified export data with Export Genius— your trusted partner for global trade intelligence.
Get actionable trade insights and verified export data with Export Genius— your trusted partner for global trade intelligence.
Why Indian textiles lag behind
Despite being one of the world’s largest textile producers, India is struggling on several fronts. Energy expenses and high logistics add to the burden of costly raw materials, eroding the country’s edge in global markets.
In comparison, both Vietnam and Bangladesh operate with lower costs and better productivity. Their labour laws are considered more flexible, and they enjoy duty-free access to raw materials and key markets such as Europe.
Vietnam also ships goods to China without duty barriers, while Bangladesh benefits from a wage structure that remains cheaper than India’s. Industry representatives estimate that labour productivity in these competing countries is 20% to 40% higher.
India’s Market Share in Global Textiles Export Market 2024
| Export Countries | Knitted or Crocheted Apparel & Clothing | Not Knitted or Crocheted Apparel & Clothing | Other Made-up Textile Articles | Cotton |
| World | 277 | 248 | 78 | 52 |
| China | 85 | 67 | 34 | 10 |
| Bangladesh | 28 | 24 | 1 | 0.1 |
| Vietnam | 16 | 16 | 2 | 3 |
| India | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Turkey | 10 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
*****Value USD Billion
Yearly trends from 2020 to 2024 shows that India exported the highest number of shipments of knitted or not knitted apparel and clothing in 2022. Get data visualization of yearly trends of India’s exports of knitted or not knitted apparel and clothing.
India’s Exports of Apparel & Clothing Knitted or Not Knitted
| Year | Knitted or Crocheted Apparel & Clothing | Not Knitted or Crocheted Apparel & Clothing |
| 2020 | 6.1 | 6.1 |
| 2021 | 7.8 | 7.3 |
| 2022 | 8.2 | 8.4 |
| 2023 | 6.6 | 7.8 |
| 2024 | 7.5 | 8.1 |
*****Value USD Billion
Government’s effort
India’s textiles ministry is building systems to improve research and development across digital traceability, sustainable materials, technical textiles, fabrics, and fibres. Even as the government works on the roadmap, data shows that the industry’s pace remains slow. In the first half of FY26, textile and apparel exports grew only 0.39% year-on-year.
The Economic Survey FY25 also flagged rising cost pressures globally, noting that the shift towards sustainable sourcing is expected to increase expenses for textile manufacturers in the coming years.
Conclusion
India’s textile sector stands at a decisive crossroads — blending its rich heritage with modern innovation to reclaim global competitiveness. With policy support under initiatives such as PM MITRA Parks, PLI for Textiles, and sustainability-driven manufacturing, the nation is strategically positioned to reach its ambitious $100 billion export target by 2030. However, realizing this vision demands continuous investment in technology, diversification into man-made fibers, and data-driven export strategies.
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