The National Handloom Day is observed annually on 7th August to honor the handloom weavers in the country and also highlight India's handloom industry.

On this day let's not just celebrate fabric — let's celebrate the hands that weave it. Support the artisan, uphold the tradition", as the artisan isn't merely a weaver—but the heartbeat of heritage.

This day commemorates the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, when handwoven fabric emerged not only as a piece of fabric but as a powerful symbol of resistance, self-reliance & cultural identity. What began as a clean slate evolved into the warp and weft of heritage, art, and community expression.

The handloom sector today supports over 3.5 million weavers and allied workers, 72% of whom are women, across rural and semi-urban India. For all its richness, the sector now stands at one that demands innovation without dilution, technology without erasure, and modernization without marginalization.

India's Textile Ministry plans a new national program post-FY26 to boost handloom marketing and exports, emphasizing digital strategies and sustainability.

India is to ‘Revamp Handloom Program with Digital Focus & Sustainability Push for Global Exports’. To boost marketing and exports of handloom products, the textile ministry will be announcing a revamped national program next year.

Best wishes on National Handloom Day!

Today is a day to celebrate our rich weaving traditions, which showcase the creativity of our people. We are proud of India’s handloom diversity and its role in furthering livelihoods and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/dHOwbZILCW
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2025

“As the national handloom development program is coming to an end by the end of FY26, we will launch a program with additional aspects with thrust on new-age marketing while taking into consideration sustainability aspects of the sector,” says M Beena, Development Commissioner- Handlooms.

The government is currently relying on traditional market channels such as mela, exhibitions and events across state and national level, for boosting sales, among the younger buyers. The ministry has now developed a dedicated portal – indiahandmade.com – in collaboration with Digital India scheme under the Ministry of Information and Technology for boosting online sales of cloth and artefact.

“Whenever weavers list products on platforms such as Amazon, small players pay high commission. Our portal has no commission for hosting products and shipping charges which are paid from the National Handloom Development Fund,” Beena said. So far, 2362 sellers have registered on the portal and 15,257 product profiles have been displayed.

To ensure that products are genuinely hand-woven by skilled artisans, the ministry has introduced ‘Handloom Mark, a certification mark that guarantees the authenticity of products. Under the ‘India Handloom Brand’, certification is provided to products with higher yarn count.

At present, under the national program that has been implemented since 2021-22, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies, weavers for raw materials, procurement of upgraded looms and accessories and also for technical and common infrastructure. Marketing of products in domestic and international markets, concessional loans under weavers’ MUDRA scheme and social security etcetera are also covered.

Under the yarn supply scheme, the ministry provides 15% price subsidy on yarn cost and transportation for raw material supplies. At present there are estimated 35 lakh weavers in the country.

A monthly pension of Rs 8,000 is provided to all the awardee handloom weavers above 60 years of age. In addition, a scholarship up to Rs.2 lakh per annum is provided to handloom weavers’ children for diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate courses of central or state government recognized textiles institutions.

In 2024-25, exports of handlooms products were valued at Rs 1,178 crore. As many as 106 handloom products have been granted geographical Indication (GI) tag while 21 applications have been submitted to GI registry.

Under the handloom marketing assistance component of the National Handloom Development Program, this year 24 handloom weavers will be awarded Sant Kabir Awards (5) and National Handloom Awards (19) on the occasion of National Handloom Day.

The growth of the textiles sector in Bharat owing to a series of targeted interventions from the Union government and as envisioned by PM Modi to make handlooms a key part of our daily lives.

On this National Handloom Day, all are proud to reflect on the rich legacy and bright future of the weavers. From the looms of North East India to innovations in AI-driven design, the story of India’s handlooms reflects resilience, empowerment, and boundless creativity.

Indian handlooms represent a rich tapestry of textile traditions, with diverse weaving techniques and regional styles. From silk to cotton, handloom fabrics are known for their quality, durability, and eco-friendliness, gaining popularity in modern fashion. Each region in India boasts unique handloom styles, offering a vast array of choices.

On the 11th National Handloom Day, we salute the weavers and artisans whose timeless craft showcases India’s diversity in every colour, motif, and fabric.

Let’s take pride in what is truly ours — the handloom is heritage.#MyHandloomMyPride #MyProductMyPride #LabourMinistry pic.twitter.com/V4DdUO6miD
— Ministry of Labour & Employment, GoI (@LabourMinistry) August 7, 2025

Key aspects of Indian handlooms

Regional Diversity: Different states and regions within India have their own distinctive handloom weaving traditions, resulting in a wide range of fabrics and designs.

Variety of Fabrics: Indian handlooms encompass a wide array of fabrics, including silk (like Muga silk and Kanjeevaram silk), cotton (like Khadi and Dhakai Jamdani) , and blends.

Traditional Weaving: Handloom weaving involves various techniques, including plain weave, twill weave, and satin weave, each contributing to the fabric's texture and appearance.

Artisan Craftsmanship: Handloom weaving is a labor-intensive process, with skilled artisans creating intricate patterns and designs on looms.

Cultural Significance: Handloom fabrics are deeply embedded in Indian culture and heritage, often associated with specific regions, festivals, and occasions.

Eco-Friendly Choice: Handloom fabrics are often produced using sustainable practices, making them a popular choice for environmentally conscious consumers.

Revival in Fashion: Indian handlooms are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, with designers incorporating them into contemporary fashion collections.

Handloom Fabrics

Chanderi: A lightweight fabric from Madhya Pradesh, known for its sheer texture and suitability for warm weather.

Baluchari: Sarees with intricate designs depicting mythological stories, originating from West Bengal.

Jamdani: A fine muslin fabric with elaborate motifs, primarily produced in Bengal.

Kanjeevaram: Also known as the "Queen of Silks," Kanjeevaram sarees are known for their vibrant colors and intricate gold zari work.

Chikankari: A delicate hand embroidery technique, often seen on sarees and other garments, from Lucknow.

Supporting Artisans: Choosing handloom fabrics helps support the livelihoods of artisans and preserves traditional weaving skills.

However, now under altered circumstances of “Tariffs”, India's textile and apparel exporters have suffered a major blow after the United States raised tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, as it wiped out any limited competitive edge they had over key rival Bangladesh, which faces a lower 20% duty.

Apparel exporters will now find themselves disadvantaged against other key competitors like Vietnam, and Sri Lanka too. The US accounts for about $10 billion of India's annual textile and garments exports of $37 billion.

"This is a huge setback to the labor-intensive apparel export industry. There is no way the industry can absorb this," says Sudhir Sekhri-chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC).

Sekhri had earlier warned that even a 25% tariff would severely dent India's export competitiveness, forcing manufacturers to sell below cost and triggering mass layoffs. Textile industry is the country's second-largest employment generator after the agriculture sector, with over 45 million direct jobs. Industry sources on condition of anonymity said lay-offs would be inevitable if the hefty US tariff persists.

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