**Executive Summary**
The Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative (MGGSI) is an umbrella framework by the Ministry of Textiles designed to foster rural self-reliance and global market linkages for the khadi, handloom, and handicrafts sectors. The document details financial and technical support provided between 2020 and 2026, with a focus on Telangana, through schemes such as the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and the Samarth Scheme. Key objectives include infrastructure upgrades, skill training for over 2,000 workers, and the establishment of e-commerce and design centers to enhance sector viability.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **MGGSI Framework and Objectives**
* Aims to build rural self-reliance by streamlining training and improving production quality.
* Focuses on creating scalable, export-oriented units and fostering employment for rural youth.
* Strengthens backward and forward linkages, including support for the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
* **Handicrafts Sector Development**
* Implemented through the NHDP and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS).
* Provides financial assistance for marketing, digitisation, R&D, and the formation of Producer Companies.
* In Telangana, 38 NHDP programs sanctioned ₹4.95 crores for 1,242 artisans in FY 2025-26, while a CHCDS project supported 4,000 artisans since FY 2022-23.
* **Handloom Sector Support and Training**
* Under the Samarth Scheme (2020-21 to 2025-26), 2,066 handloom workers were trained in Telangana, specifically in Medak, Warangal, and Nalgonda.
* The Cluster Development Programme provided ₹1,223.97 lakh to 26 clusters in Telangana for upgraded looms, worksheds, and solar lighting.
* **Marketing, Design, and Quality Assurance**
* An e-commerce portal (indiahandmade.com) has been launched for online marketing.
* 16 Design Resource Centres (DRCs) have been established nationwide, including one in Hyderabad.
* 15 marketing expos were sanctioned for Telangana between 2022 and 2026 to provide platforms for weavers and agencies.
* Authenticity is promoted via the "India Handloom Brand" and "Handloom Mark," with over 1,500 total registrations completed in Telangana.
**Impact Analysis**
**Artisans and Weavers**
**Impact:**
They receive direct financial assistance, end-to-end infrastructure support (solar lighting, worksheds), and enhanced skill sets through specialized training programs. Access to national and international markets is expanded through expos and digital platforms.
**Action Required:**
Apply for schematic support under NHDP/CHCDS and register for the "India Handloom Brand" or "Handloom Mark" to certify product authenticity.
**Rural Youth**
**Impact:**
The initiative positions the handmade sector as a viable, aspirational career path through employment-oriented growth and skilling.
**Action Required:**
Enroll in training and skilling programs like the Samarth Scheme to transition into scalable rural enterprises.
**Handloom Agencies and Producer Companies**
**Impact:**
These entities benefit from cluster development funds, design-oriented excellence through DRCs, and specialized marketing platforms.
**Action Required:**
Utilize the indiahandmade.com portal for online sales and participate in sanctioned exhibitions and craft melas to increase market reach.
Key Entities Referenced
Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative (MGGSI): An umbrella framework designed to build rural self-reliance in khadi, handloom, and handicrafts by streamlining training and global market branding.
National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP): A scheme providing financial assistance and end-to-end support to artisans through marketing, skill development, and infrastructure projects.
National Handloom Development Programme: A programme implemented to provide schematic support, marketing platforms, and certification initiatives for handloom weavers.
Samarth Scheme: A skilling and training initiative focused on upgrading the capacity of handloom workers.
Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS): A scheme focused on the overall development and promotion of the handicrafts sector through large-scale cluster projects.
Ministry of Textiles
MAHATMA GANDHI GRAM SWARAJ INITIATIVE
Posted On: 27 MAR 2026 2:50PM by PIB Delhi
The Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative (MGGSI) is an umbrella framework which proposes to
build rural self-reliance in khadi, handloom and handicrafts. It strengthens rural enterprises by
streamlining training and skilling support towards improvement in quality of process and production
for achieving global market linkage and branding.
This initiative shall benefit weavers, village industries, and rural youth by fostering employment-
oriented growth through the development of rural enterprises into scalable, export-oriented units. It
aims to create vital backward and forward linkages across the value chains of khadi, handloom, and
handicrafts—including local sourcing—that directly support local weavers, artisans, which covers the
One District One Product (ODOP) Initiative. Furthermore, it aims to generate aspirational livelihoods
for rural youth by positioning the handmade sector as a viable, long-term career option.
(i) The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the aegis of Ministry of Textiles
implements two schemes namely National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and
Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) for overall development and
promotion of handicrafts sector across the country. Under these schemes, need based financial
assistance is provided for end-to-end support to the artisans through marketing events, skill
development, cluster development, formation of Producer Companies, direct benefit to artisans,
infrastructural and technology support, research and development support, digitization, branding and
marketing of handicraft products in domestic & international markets etc. which benefit the traditional
crafts and increase livelihood opportunities throughout the country including the state of Telangana.
Under NHDP Scheme 38 such programmes have been conducted sanctioning Rs.4.95 crores and
benefitting 1,242 artisans during FY 2025 -26 (till Feb 2026) in Telangana state and a CHCDS project
was also sanctioned with total project cost of Rs.5.76 crore covering 4,000 (approx.) artisans since FY
2022.-23.
(ii) The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) implements the National Handloom
Development Programme, under which schematic support has been provided to handloom weavers in
Telangana, including districts such as Medak, Warangal and Nalgonda.
Under the Samarth Scheme, during the period from 2020–21 to 2025–26 (till date), a total of 2,066
handloom workers have been trained in Telangana State, out of which 72 in Medak District, 176 in
Warangal District and 96 in Nalgonda District have been trained.
Under the Cluster Development Programme, financial assistance amounting to Rs. 1,223.97 lakh has
been provided for 26 clusters covering 4,971 beneficiaries in Telangana during the period from FY
2021–22 to 2025–26 for interventions such as upgraded looms and accessories, worksheds, solar
lighting units and product and design development.Under the Handloom Marketing Assistance component, marketing platforms are provided to handloom
agencies and weavers through participation in exhibitions, craft melas and other marketing events
across the country including Telangana. During 2022-23 to 2025-26 (till Feb. 2026) 15 expos have been
sanctioned for Telangana with a total fund sanction of Rs.2.56 crores, including 01 expo each organised
at Warangal & Nalgonda during FY 2024-25. In addition, an e-commerce portal
(https://www.indiahandmade.com/) has already been launched to support the handloom sector for
online marketing of handloom products.
In order to build and create design oriented excellence in the Handloom Sector, 16 Design Resource
Centres (DRCs) have been setup across the country including 01 DRC at Hyderabad, Telangana
Further, to promote quality and authenticity of handloom products, certification initiatives such as India
Handloom Brand and Handloom Mark have been implemented. As on date, 228 India Handloom Brand
registrations and 1,337 Handloom Mark registrations have been completed in Telangana.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER FOR TEXTILES SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH in a written
reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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MAM/VN
(Rajya Sabha US Q3988)
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