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Corporate Update

GREAT Scheme Fuels New Wave Of Innovation In India’s Technical Textiles Sector

• By  Textile Excellence
• December 16, 2025

The Ministry of Textiles has intensified India’s push towards advanced and high value textile manufacturing through the GREAT scheme under the National Technical Textiles Mission. The initiative focuses on converting research driven ideas into commercially viable products while nurturing a robust startup ecosystem in technical textiles.

Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita informed the Lok Sabha on December 9 that 24 startups have been approved so far under the Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles scheme. Each approved proposal is eligible for financial assistance of up to ₹50 lakh. The total cost of the approved projects stands at ₹12.16 crore, while the Government of India contribution amounts to ₹10.79 crore.

Officials said the selected startups represent a wide range of cutting-edge technology domains. These include advanced functional textiles such as temperature responsive and self-sanitizing fabrics, smart textiles using graphene and nanomaterials, and energy harvesting fabrics capable of generating power. High performance composites designed for automotive; construction, defence, and space applications form a key segment of the portfolio.

Sustainability driven innovations also feature strongly. Projects include hemp-based bioplastic composites, biodegradable tyre yarns, algae derived leather alternatives, and circular processing solutions aimed at zero solid discharge in textile operations. Medical and healthcare applications include antimicrobial hospital wear, smart self-sanitizing medical apparel, surgical simulation textiles, and biomaterial based medical products.

The Minister stated that a dedicated Review and Monitoring Committee has been constituted to regularly assess progress and ensure timely execution of the approved projects. Nationwide public events, workshops, seminars, and outreach programmes are being organised to promote industry engagement, facilitate scale up, and disseminate information about the scheme.

Margherita also outlined the eligibility framework under the GREAT guidelines. Individual applicants must be Indian citizens aged 21 years or above and must be incubated at a recognised incubator. Applicants are required to establish a startup company before the release of funds. Startup entities must meet defined turnover, ownership, and incorporation criteria.

The GREAT scheme is expected to play a critical role in driving innovation, employment generation, and sustainable growth across this strategic sector. Medical and hygiene applications form a critical pillar of the approved portfolio. Several projects address antimicrobial hospital wear, smart self-sanitizing medical apparel, surgical training simulators, and advanced biomaterial based medical textiles. These developments align closely with India’s rising demand for domestic manufacturing of high value technical textiles, a segment estimated to grow at over 16% annually and projected to cross US$40 billion by 2030.

The Ministry has constituted a dedicated Review and Monitoring Committee to track progress and ensure timely commercialisation. Nationwide workshops, seminars, and outreach programmes are also planned to connect startups with industry partners and investors. State wise participation reflects a broad national footprint, covering Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and others. The information was shared by the Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Pabitra Margherita, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, underscoring the government’s commitment to innovation led growth in textiles.

Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita informed the Lok Sabha on December 9 that 24 startups have been approved so far under the Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles scheme. Each approved proposal is eligible for financial assistance of up to ₹50 lakh. The total cost of the approved projects stands at ₹12.16 crore, while the Government of India contribution amounts to ₹10.79 crore.