India’s Textile Exports Register Growth of 2.1% in FY 2025–26

1. At a Glance

India's textile exports (incl. handicrafts) rose 2.1% to ₹3,16,334.9 crore in FY 2025–26 from ₹3,09,859.3 crore in FY 2024–25, signalling resilience amid weak global demand [S1].
Ready-Made Garments (RMG) remained the single largest export segment; handicrafts posted the fastest growth at 6.1% [S1].
Textiles employ ~45 million workers and are India's 2nd-largest employer after agriculture — making export performance directly relevant for GS-III (industry, employment, external sector).

Ministry of Textiles' PIB release dated 22 April 2026 reported FY 2025–26 export data showing 2.1% YoY growth and broad-based expansion to 120+ destinations during April 2025–February 2026 [S1].
Government extended the RoSCTL and RoDTEP export-remission schemes beyond 31.03.2026 to sustain competitiveness [S1].

India's textile policy framework rests on three pillars launched recently: PLI for Textiles (2021), PM MITRA Parks (2021), and National Technical Textiles Mission (2020).
RoSCTL (Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies) was introduced in March 2019 for apparel/made-ups, replacing the earlier ROSL [S1].
RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) operationalised 1 January 2021 as a WTO-compliant duty remission scheme.
7 PM MITRA Parks announced 2023 — Tamil Nadu (Virudhunagar), Telangana (Warangal), Gujarat (Navsari), Karnataka (Kalaburagi), Madhya Pradesh (Dhar), Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow), Maharashtra (Amravati); outlay ₹4,445 crore up to 2027-28 [S2].

Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Textiles, Government of India [S1].
Total textile exports FY 2025-26: ₹3,16,334.9 crore (up 2.1%) [S1].
Segment-wise (FY 2025-26 vs FY 2024-25):
RMG (all textiles): ₹1,39,349.6 cr vs ₹1,35,427.6 cr — +2.9% [S1].
Cotton yarn/fabrics/made-ups/handloom: ₹1,02,399.7 cr vs ₹1,02,002.8 cr — +0.4% [S1].
Man-made yarn/fabrics/made-ups: ₹42,687.8 cr vs ₹41,196.0 cr — +3.6% [S1].
Handicrafts (excl. handmade carpets): ₹15,855.1 cr vs ₹14,945.5 cr — +6.1% (highest) [S1].
PLI Scheme for Textiles: outlay ₹10,683 crore over 5 years; covers MMF apparel, MMF fabrics, technical textiles; 91 companies selected [S2].
PM MITRA Parks outlay: ₹4,445 cr; DCS up to ₹500 cr greenfield / ₹200 cr brownfield; CIS up to ₹300 cr/park; targets ₹70,000 cr investment and ~20 lakh jobs [S2].
Export reach: Growth recorded in >120 destinations (Apr 2025–Feb 2026) [S1].

Economic: Textile sector contributes ~2.3% of GDP and ~12% of export earnings; 2.1% growth lags overall merchandise export expectations, signalling muted global apparel demand [S1].
Social / Employment: Sector is female-labour-intensive (RMG cluster workforce ~60% women); export growth supports MSME-led units in Tirupur, Surat, Ludhiana, Noida.
Strategic / Geopolitical: Broad-basing across 120+ markets reduces dependence on EU/US; aligns with India's FTA push (UK FTA signed, EU FTA under negotiation in 2026).
Administrative: Dual remission architecture — RoSCTL (apparel/made-ups) + RoDTEP (other goods) — extended beyond March 2026 to ensure tax-neutral exports [S1].
Technological: PLI's MMF/technical textiles focus targets correction of India's structural bias toward cotton (vs. global 70% MMF share) [S2].

India's textile exports (incl. handicrafts) FY 2025-26: ₹3,16,334.9 crore, up 2.1% [S1].
RMG = largest segment, ₹1,39,349.6 cr, +2.9% [S1].
Handicrafts (excl. carpets) = fastest-growing segment, +6.1% [S1].
MMF segment growth: 3.6%; Cotton segment growth: 0.4% [S1].
PLI for Textiles outlay: ₹10,683 crore; covers MMF apparel, MMF fabrics, technical textiles [S2].
PM MITRA Parks: 7 sites; outlay ₹4,445 cr; period up to 2027-28 [S2].
PM MITRA states: TN, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, MP, UP, Maharashtra (NOT West Bengal/Odisha) [S2].
RoSCTL applies to apparel and made-ups; RoDTEP to other export products [S1].
Both RoSCTL and RoDTEP extended beyond 31.03.2026 [S1].
Exports grew in >120 destinations during Apr 2025–Feb 2026 [S1].
Companies selected under PLI Textiles: 91 [S2].
Nodal ministry: Ministry of Textiles (NOT Ministry of Commerce, despite export linkage) [S1].

GS-III: Indian Economy — growth, development, employment; effects of liberalisation; investment models.
GS-II: Government policies and interventions for development in sectors.
Sample stems: 1. "Despite policy support through PLI and PM MITRA, India's textile exports continue to grow modestly. Examine the structural constraints and suggest a roadmap." (250 words) 2. "Discuss how the extension of RoSCTL and RoDTEP schemes addresses WTO-compatibility concerns while supporting export competitiveness." 3. "The shift from cotton-centric to man-made fibre (MMF) production is critical for India's textile sector. Analyse."

PLI Schemes (14 sectors) — flagship manufacturing push.
PM MITRA Parks — integrated textile region model (5F vision: Farm-to-Fibre-to-Factory-to-Fashion-to-Foreign).
RoDTEP & RoSCTL — WTO-compliant export remission instruments.
National Technical Textiles Mission (2020-26) — ₹1,480 cr outlay, sunset year overlap.
Foreign Trade Policy 2023 — overarching framework.
Handloom & Handicrafts sector — KVIC, Handloom Mark, GI tags.
India-UK / India-EU FTAs — market access for textiles.
MSME sector — most textile units fall under MSME definition.

Nodal ministry confusion: Textiles exports are tracked by Ministry of Textiles, not Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
RoSCTL vs RoDTEP: RoSCTL is only for apparel/made-ups; RoDTEP covers other goods — they are not interchangeable.
PM MITRA states (7): Often confused — does not include West Bengal, Odisha, or Rajasthan.
PLI outlay: ₹10,683 cr (Textiles) ≠ ₹4,445 cr (PM MITRA). Both are separate schemes.
"Handicrafts" in the PIB figure is part of textile exports, but "handmade carpets" are reported separately.

[S1] India's Textile Exports Register Growth of 2.1% in FY 2025–26 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2254367 — (tier 1)
[S2] PM MITRA Parks & PLI for Textiles — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1910390 and https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2259537 — (tier 1)