Indian Textile and Apparel Exports Surge: Global Demand Drives Growth to ₹3,25,339 Crore
India’s textile and apparel sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and robust growth in the domestic and international markets. Exports of textiles, garments, and handicrafts have steadily climbed, driven by consistent policy support and strategic market diversification. The comprehensive data reflects a growing global appetite for Indian products, solidifying the nation's position in the international trade landscape.Textile Exports Chronicle Growth and Resilience
The sector recorded significant overall growth in the period under review. Total exports of textiles and apparel, including handicrafts, increased from ₹2,97,004 crore in 2023-24 to ₹3,25,339 crore by 2025-26, registering a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.7%.A detailed look at the commodity breakdown reveals steady performance across various segments. Readymade Garments maintained strong momentum, reaching ₹139,350 crore in 2025-26 from ₹120,305 crore in 2023-24. Man-Made Textiles also showed healthy growth, increasing to ₹46,254 crore.
Cotton Textiles saw slight movement but remained a major contributor, achieving ₹102,427 crore by 2025-26. Meanwhile, Silk Products registered the highest proportional growth across commodities, growing from ₹988 crore in 2023-24 to ₹2,262 crore in 2025-26.
Government Initiatives Bolster Competitiveness of Apparel Sector
The steady expansion of the textile sector is largely attributed to focused government initiatives designed to enhance competitiveness and address industry challenges. The Ministry of Textiles has implemented several critical schemes across the value chain.Key supportive mechanisms include the PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme, alongside the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme. To support capacity building, the SAMARTH scheme and National Handloom Development Programme are actively deployed across the industry.
Policy stability is further enhanced by the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme for garments and made-ups. This scheme, extended up to 30 September 2026, provides crucial support and strengthens the export base of these sectors. The government has also launched RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) to aid exporters facing global conflicts and maritime disruptions.
Market Penetration Highlights Strong Export Presence Across Key Nations
India's export footprint expanded significantly, with products reaching customers in over 100 countries during the period ending 2025-26. The country-wise data highlights robust penetration across several critical global markets.The United States remained a primary market, recording exports valued at ₹85,910 crore in 2025-26, up from ₹83,179 crore in 2023-24. The UAE and the UK consistently demonstrated strong demand for Indian textiles, with exports to the UAE reaching ₹20,775 crore and sales to the UK rising to ₹19,652 crore.
Europeans were also major buyers; Germany accounted for ₹13,200 crore in 2025-26. Italy’s contribution increased substantially from ₹6,471 crore to ₹7,407 crore, indicating growing demand for specialized Indian goods.
The government has adopted a diversified export strategy targeting 40 priority countries. Leveraging sixteen active Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including the India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), provides significant opportunity for future growth in the international markets.
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