Introduction
The powerloom industry of India is among the biggest contributors to the country’s textile industry and accounts for a major share of overall fabric production. The textile sector, being one of the largest contributors to India’s economy, makes the powerloom segment highly significant. The readymade garments and home textile industries are heavily dependent on powerloom-produced fabrics. India is the 6th largest global exporter of textiles and apparel. India’s exports of textiles and apparel, including handicrafts, stood at Rs. 3.25 lakh crore (US$ 36.82 billion) in FY26, registering a growth of 1.8% over Rs. 3.20 lakh crore (US$ 36.96 billion) in FY25. India has a large and widespread powerloom base, with around 24.86 lakh looms and over 3.85 lakh units across the country.
India’s textile & apparel industry share (FY25)
Source: Press Information Bureau
The industry is concentrated in a few key states, with Maharashtra leading the sector with around 9.48 lakh looms, followed by Tamil Nadu with around 5.63 lakh looms and Gujarat with around 5.24 lakh looms. Other important powerloom states include Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, reflecting strong regional clustering of powerloom activities across the country. The sector produces a wide range of fabrics, including grey, dyed and printed textiles, as well as cotton, synthetic and blended fabrics.
The powerloom sector is also a major employment generator within India’s textile ecosystem, supporting over 44.18 lakh workers across the country through direct and allied activities. With its large-scale decentralized structure, cost competitiveness, and strong linkage with downstream industries, the powerloom industry continues to play a vital role in supporting India’s position as one of the leading global producers and exporters of textiles and apparel.
Export Trend
Category-wise exports of India textile and apparel exports in FY26 (US$ billion)
Source: NIRYAT Portal
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. According to PDEXCIL, based on Ministry of Commerce & Industry trade data, exports of powerloom products (covering 764 HS lines) increased to US$ 8.98 billion in FY26 from US$ 8.86 billion in FY25, registering growth of approximately 1.4%. India makes coir geo-textiles, floor mattings, rugs, etc. from powerlooms. During FY26, India exported coir and coir products worth Rs. 6,693.14 crore (US$ 757.4 million), while exports during FY27 (April–June 2026) reached Rs. 1,799.2 crore (US$ 189.45 million). India’s cotton textile exports, which include cotton fabrics & made-ups, raw cotton (including waste), and cotton yarn, were US$ 10,655 million during FY26.
The country is the largest exporter of sarees and accounts for over half a million shipments annually. India’s textile and apparel exports are led by ready-made garments, which accounted for Rs. 1.40 lakh crore (US$ 15.8 billion) in FY26, followed by cotton textiles at Rs. 1.09 lakh crore (US$ 11.58 billion). Other key segments include man-made textiles at Rs. 45,871 crore (US$ 4.83 billion) and handicrafts at Rs. 17000 crore (US$ 1.79 billion), indicating a diversified export basket across value-added and traditional product categories.
Export Destinations
India's silk exports during April-June 2026 were led by natural silk yarn, fabrics and made-ups, valued at Rs. 4.87 lakh crore (US$ 51.23 million), reflecting continued strength in value-added silk textile categories. Ready-made garments of silk followed at Rs. 2.19 crore (US$ 22.97 million), underlining sustained demand for finished silk apparel in export markets, while silk carpets contributed Rs. 1.14 lakh crore (US$ 12.02 million) on a volume of 69,923 sqm. The USA was the largest destination for India's silk exports during FY27(April-June 2026), accounting for a 55.79% share worth US$ 53.81 million, driven primarily by natural silk yarn, fabrics and made-ups. China followed at 10.47% (US$ 10.09 million), largely on account of silk waste exports, while Malaysia (4.03%; US$ 3.89 million) and the UK (3.05%; US$ 2.95 million) rounded out the other major markets, together with France (2.08%; US$ 2.00 million). India exports cotton to many parts of the world (more than 150 countries). During FY27(April to June 2026), total exports of these cotton products stood at Rs. 25,832 crore (US$ 2.72 billion). Among the key segments, cotton fabrics & made-ups accounted for Rs. 15,290 crore (US$ 1.61 billion), followed by cotton yarn at Rs. 9,117 crore (US$ 0.96 billion), while raw cotton (including waste) contributed Rs. 1,425 crore (US$ 0.15 billion), indicating a higher share of value-added exports compared to raw material shipments.
Coir and Coir Manufacturers Export destinations of India FY27(April to August 2026)
Source: Ministry of commerce
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 Textiles has an approved outlay of Rs. 10,683 crore (US$ 1.13 billion). As of August 2026, 170 companies have been approved under the scheme, with projected investments of Rs. 41,787 crore (US$ 4.40 billion), turnover of Rs. 2.76 lakh crore (US$ 29.14 billion), export turnover of Rs. 54,133 crore (US$ 5.70 billion) and employment generation of 3,67,427. The scheme covers MMF apparel, MMF fabrics and technical textiles, with 225 products notified across these segments. As of March 31, 2026, participating companies had made actual investments of Rs. 81.6 lakh crore (US$ 860.10 million), generated turnover of Rs. 11,301 crore (US$ 1.19 billion) and created 33,427 jobs.
PM Mega Integrated Textiles Region and Apparel Parks (PM MITRA)
The Government of India set up the PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) scheme with an outlay of Rs. 44.73 lakh crore (US$ 471.0 million) for 2021-22 to 2027-28. Seven PM MITRA Parks have been finalized across Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, with the scheme targeting Rs. 70,000 crore (US$ 7.42 billion) in investment and approximately 20 lakh direct and indirect jobs. As of 2026, investment interests of Rs. 69,043 crore (US$ 7.27 billion) have been received across the seven parks, while 100% of the required land has been acquired and environmental clearances obtained for all sites. DPRs worth Rs. 13,581 crore (US$ 1.43 billion) have been finalized for the seven states. The PM MITRA Park at Warangal, Telangana, became the country’s first functional PM MITRA Park in May 2026, marking a major step towards developing integrated textile manufacturing hubs.
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.
FAQs
Powerloom exports span silk, cotton, jute, synthetic rayon, readymade garments, printed and dyed fabrics, and fibres. Powerloom textiles contribute 60% of India's fabric exports, with exports of powerloom products reaching US$ 8.98 billion in FY26.
Powerloom manufacturing clusters are concentrated in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, which together host the bulk of India's 24.86 lakh looms. These clusters anchor the powerloom industry's role in driving textile exports from India.
India exports textiles and apparel, including powerloom textiles, to markets across the USA, UK, China and the EU, among others. The India-UK Free Trade Agreement, offering duty-free access to over 99% of Indian exports, is expected to further boost powerloom exports to the UK.
Schemes like the Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) support modernization of the powerloom industry, improving productivity and quality. This technological upgrade is strengthening the competitiveness of powerloom exports in global markets.
Maharashtra leads with around 9.48 lakh looms, followed by Tamil Nadu (5.63 lakh looms) and Gujarat (5.24 lakh looms). Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are other key states supporting India's powerloom manufacturing clusters.
Key schemes include the Modified Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development Scheme, Universal Insurance Coverage Scheme, and PLI Scheme for Textiles with an outlay of Rs. 10,683 crore (US$ 1.13 billion). These initiatives are strengthening the powerloom industry's manufacturing and export capacity.
Value-added segments like dyed, printed and blended fabrics are central to powerloom exports, supporting India's position as the 6th largest global exporter of textiles and apparel. This diversification continues to strengthen powerloom textiles' share in India's overall export basket.
The Integrated Skill Development Scheme and PLI Scheme for Textiles are helping powerloom manufacturers upgrade quality and technical capabilities. As of August 2026, 170 companies were approved under the PLI scheme, strengthening compliance with international standards.
Beyond traditional markets, the India-UK FTA is opening new opportunities for powerloom exports with duty-free access to over 99% of Indian goods. Continued diversification across the textile export basket is expected to support further market expansion.
With PM MITRA Parks like the one at Warangal becoming operational and PLI scheme investments progressing, India's powerloom industry outlook remains strong. Continued government support and modernization are expected to further boost powerloom exports from India.
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