**Summary:**
The Ministry of Textiles reports on the condition of the handloom cottage industry in India. As of the 4th All India Handloom Census (2019-20), there are approximately 31.45 lakh handloom cottage units supporting 35.22 lakh handloom weavers and allied workers. Recognizing the unorganized nature of the sector and the self-employment it provides, the Ministry implements the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and the Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) to support the industry and the welfare of weavers. These schemes provide financial assistance for raw materials, upgraded looms, solar lighting, workshed construction, skilling, product design, infrastructure, marketing, concessional loans (Weavers MUDRA scheme), and social security. From 2020-21 to 2024-25, Rs. 1,516 crores were allocated, and Rs. 1,480.71 crores were disbursed under NHDP and RMSS. The schemes were formulated for implementation during 2021-22 to 2025-26 following a third-party impact evaluation of previous schemes. This information was provided by the Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on July 25, 2025. MAMSMP Release ID: 2148300
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Textiles: The Indian government ministry responsible for policies related to the textile industry.
All India Handloom Census 2019-20: A census conducted to gather data on the handloom sector across India.
National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP): A program implemented by the Ministry of Textiles to promote handlooms and welfare of handloom weavers in India.
Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS): A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Textiles to support the supply of raw materials to the handloom sector in India.
MUDRA scheme: A scheme to provide concessional loans to weavers.
SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH: The Union Minister of Textiles who provided information in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.
Rajya Sabha: The upper house of the Parliament of India, where a question related to the handloom sector was raised.
Delhi: Location where the press release was posted.
Ministry of Textiles
CONDITION OF HANDLOOM COTTAGE
INDUSTRY
Posted On: 25 JUL 2025 1:56PM by PIB Delhi
th
According to 4 All India Handloom Census 2019-20, there are 31.45 lakh households across the country
consisting of 35.22 lakh handloom weavers & allied workers. Accordingly, it is considered that 31.45 lakhs
handloom cottage units are functioning in the country.
Handloom sector is unorganized, in which the Government does not provide direct employment to the
weavers/workers. Handloom weavers/workers involve in traditional skilled activities, which provide self-
employment to them. However, Ministry of Textiles is implementing (i) National Handloom Development
Programme (NHDP) and (ii) Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) to promote handlooms and for welfare of
handloom weavers across the country. Under these schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible
handloom agencies/weavers for raw materials, procurement of upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting
units, construction of workshed, skilling, product & design development, technical and common
infrastructure, marketing, concessional loans under weavers’ MUDRA scheme, social security, payment to
awardee weavers in indigent circumstances etc.
Under the schemes of NHDP and RMSS, funds of Rs. 1,516 crores were allocated and Rs. 1,480.71 crores
were disbursed during the last five years i.e. 2020-21 to 2024-25.
Before the schemes are continued/ new schemes are formulated, the impact study of the existing schemes are
evaluated. NHDP and RMSS were formulated for implementation during 2021-22 to 2025-26 after third party
impact evaluation of the previous schemes in existence.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF TEXTILES SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH in a written
reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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MAM/SMP
(Release ID: 2148300)