India's Handloom Sector Boosted by Institutional Partnerships

The Ministry of Textiles, through Development Commissioner (Handloom) Dr. M. Bina, launched the Handloom Hackathon 2.0 in Delhi. More than 2,500 participants, including the top 100 teams with 280 innovators, worked on technology‑driven solutions to ease artisans' labour, improve productivity and promote sustainability.

Key partners such as IIT Delhi and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) are collaborating to create a Centre of Excellence for Handloom Technology, slated to open next week. The initiative aims to integrate scientific precision into traditional weaving, enhance market competitiveness, and preserve India's rich handloom heritage while supporting a circular economy.