Introduction
The powerloom industry of India is among the biggest contributors to the country’s textile industry and makes up the majority of the textile production. The textile industry being one of the largest contributors to India’s economy, makes the powerloom sector important for the country. About 58% of the total cloth production in India is through powerlooms. The readymade garments and home textile sector of the country are heavily dependent on the powerloom industry. Majority of the powerlooms are in Maharashtra, with about 39% of the total powerlooms located in the state. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are some of the other top powerloom products-producing states in India.
India is the sixth-largest exporter of textiles and apparel in the world. The country's capital-intensive mill sector is the second largest in the world. The powerloom industry of India produces fabrics ranging from dyed fabrics, cotton fabrics, grey, printed fabrics and a mix of cotton, synthetic and other fibres. India has around 2.6 million powerlooms distributed throughout the country. As the textile industry employs more than 45 million people in India, powerlooms are one of the biggest employment providers in the country through direct and allied sectors.
Export Trend
Powerloom is essential for India’s textile exports as the sector contributes 60% of the fabrics meant for exports. Silk, cotton, jute, synthetic rayon, readymade garments, printed and dyed fabrics, and fibres are some of the top products exported out of the country. Powerloom exports from India rose to US$ 8,857.8 million in FY25 from US$ 8,335.2 million in FY24, registering an increase of approximately 6.3%.
India makes coir geo-textiles, floor mattings, rugs, etc. from powerlooms. During FY26 (April-July 2025), India exported coir and coir manufacturers products worth US$ 209.3 million. India’s cotton textile exports during FY26 (April-July 2025) were US$ 3,695 million. The country is the largest exporter of sarees and accounts for over half a million shipments annually.
In FY26 (April-July 2025), the overall export of textiles and apparel (including handicrafts) stood at US$ 12.62 billion. The total export value of textiles and apparel (including handicrafts) during FY25 was US$ 4.25 billion. The share of ready-made garments, cotton yarn textile, man-made textiles, and handicrafts in the exports during FY25 was 43.71%, 32.94%, 13.28%, and 4.83%, respectively.
Export Destinations
India exported US$ 108 million silk and silk products to the UAE, China, USA, Singapore, France, Italy and many more countries in FY26 (April-July 2025).
India exports cotton to many parts of the world (more than 150 countries). USA, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Egypt, UK, etc. were among the top cotton export destinations of India in FY26 (April-July 2025).
The raw silk exports of India were majorly towards countries: Vietnam, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China as of FY26 (April-July 2025).
China is among the largest importers of Indian powerloom products. During FY26 (April-August 2025), China, USA, Peru, Netherlands and Spain are among the top importers with a share of 22%, 16%, 10%, 9% and 7%, respectively.
Government Initiatives
For the development of the powerloom industry in the country, the schemes introduced by the Government are the Modified Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development Scheme (MCPCDS), Universal Insurance Coverage Scheme, Integrated Skill Development Scheme, and Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS).
The PLI scheme for the textile industry of India has an approved outlay of Rs. 10,683 crore (US$ 1.35 billion). As of September 2025, 74 companies have been approved under the scheme with committed investments totaling Rs. 28,711 crore (US$ 3.3 billion). These investments are expected to generate a turnover of around Rs. 2.16 trillion (US$ 24.9 billion) and create employment for over 259,000 people. The scheme covers multiple segments, including MMF fabrics, MMF apparel, and technical textiles, with specific product categories notified under the scheme.
PM Mega Integrated Textiles Region and Apparel Parks (PM MITRA)
The Government of India set up the PM MITRA scheme with a capital outlay of Rs. 4,445 crore (US$ 562 million). The scheme will operational until 2027-28. These parks, located in states like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, aim to generate 20 lakh jobs and attract Rs. 70,000 crore (US$ 7.95 billion) in investment. The parks will integrate the entire textile ecosystem with world-class infrastructure and skill development facilities, boosting textile exports and "Make in India" efforts.
Governing Body
Powerloom Development & Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL)
The PDEXCIL was established by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India in 1995. The council's main objectives are to promote, support, develop, advance, and increase the powerlooms, and export powerloom fabrics and made ups. The activities of the council are participating in exhibitions, organizing training and skill development programmes, publishing newsletters, etc. PDEXCIL welcomed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that provides duty-free access to over 99% of Indian exports to the UK, which includes powerloom sector products, boosting export prospects.
GC-2, Ground Floor, Gundecha Onclave
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Andheri (East)
Mumbai - 400072
Maharashtra
India
Tel.:+91-22-67254510/4497/4498
Fax: +91-22-67254526
Email: pdexcilmumbai@gmail.com
Website: www.pdexcil.org
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