National Technical Textile Mission

The Ministry of Textile has issued Guidelines for Textiles Degree Programme in UG and PG courses and internship support under National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM).

Two guidelines have been issued

• General Guidelines for Enabling Academic Institutes in Technical Textiles for Private and Public Institutes
  • It will enable the start of New Technical Textiles Degree Programmes (UG & PG) and updating of existing conventional degree programmes with new papers on technical textiles.
• General Guidelines for Grant for Internship Support in Technical Textiles (GIST)
  • Under this, grant of ₹ 20000 per student (B.Tech 2nd/3rd/4th year, both Public and Private) shall be provided to the empaneled company, subjected to a maximum period of two months for funding support for internship period.

What are Technical Textiles?

• These are textile materials manufactured primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than aesthetic characteristic.
• They are used to enhance the functional properties of materials.
• Various types of technical textiles include Meditech, Mobiltech, Agrotech, Buildtech, Clothtech, Geotech, Hometech, Indutech, Sportech, Protech and Packtech.

National Technical Textile Mission

NTTM is a mission started by Government of India for holistic development of entire technical textile sector on pan-India basis, with a four years implementation period from 2020-22 to 2023-24.

What are the objectives of Mission?

• To place India as a global leader in technical textile.
• To promote usage of technical textiles in various programmes including strategic sectors such as agriculture, dairy, aquaculture, poultry, etc.
• Bring an overall improvement in water and soil conservation, cost-effectiveness for better agricultural productivity, and higher income to farmers.
• To promote manufacturing and export activities in the country.

National Technical Textile Mission has four components

• Research, Development and Innovation
  • To promote fundamental research at both fiber level and application level by various CSIR laboratories, IITs, etc.
  • Develop biodegradable technical textile material.
  • To develop suitable equipment for environmentally sustainable disposable used technical textile.
• Market Development and Promotion
  • It aims at an average growth rate of 15-20% per annum taking domestic market size to 40-50 billion USD by 2024 through promotion and market development, international technical collaboration, etc.
  • Development of indigenous machinery and process equipment to promote “Make in India” initiative.
• Export Promotion
  • Export Promotion Council for Technical Textile will be set up for promotion and coordination activities and ensure 10% average growth rate in export per year up to 2023-24.
• Education Training and Skill development
  • Promoting technical education at higher level.
  • Creation of Innovation and Incubation Centres.
  • Promotion of Startups and Ventures.

Three-tier Institutional Mechanism

• Tier I: Mission Steering Group (MSG) led by Minister of Textile to approve all financial norms and research projects.
• Tier II: Empowered Programme Committee led by textiles secretary to monitor the implementation of all projects approved by MSG except research projects.
• Tier III: Committee on Technical Textile on Research, Development and Innovation chaired by NITI Aayog member to identify and recommend all research projects for strategic sectors like defence, space, atomic energy and para-military forces.