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India’s textile story is no longer just about exports. It is increasingly being driven from within. The latest National Household Survey 2024 on Textiles and Clothing, released by Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, puts a sharp spotlight on this shift.

The numbers are striking. India’s textile market has nearly tripled over the past 15 years, expanding from ₹4.89 lakh crore in 2010 to ₹14.95 lakh crore in 2024, clocking a steady CAGR of 8.3%. At the heart of this surge is domestic consumption, particularly households, which now account for ₹8.77 lakh crore of demand, effectively the backbone of the sector.

Equally significant is the rise in individual consumption. Per capita textile spending has almost tripled, from ₹2,119 to ₹6,066, signalling not just population growth, but a clear shift in consumer behaviour, more buying, more variety, and higher value purchases.

But the real disruption lies in what India is buying.

For decades, cotton dominated the Indian textile narrative. That dominance is now being challenged. Man-made fibres (MMF) and blended textiles have taken the lead, accounting for over 52% of the market, while cotton follows at 41%. This is not a marginal shift, it reflects a deeper transformation in consumer preference towards affordability, performance, and versatility.

In absolute terms, MMF demand has surged from ₹1.47 lakh crore to ₹4.47 lakh crore, while cotton, though still strong, is growing in a more competitive landscape. Silk and wool remain niche, together contributing less than 7% of the market.

The demand basket itself tells a story of both continuity and change. Staples like shirts, sarees, trousers, salwar kameez, and T-shirts continue to dominate, anchoring everyday consumption. But within this, new trends are emerging. Men’s jeans are the fastest-growing category, while products like leggings are gaining strong traction among women.

Women, in fact, are driving the market. They account for over 55% of textile purchases, reinforcing their central role in shaping demand patterns across categories.

Another powerful shift is the rise of sustainability, not as a niche, but as a growing mainstream choice. The market for sustainable textiles has reached ₹37,000 crore, with a significant portion coming from reused, recycled, and retailored garments. This points to an evolving consumer mindset, where value is no longer just about price, but also about longevity and responsibility.

At the same time, technical textiles are quietly expanding their footprint in household consumption. Products such as masks, sanitary napkins, wipes, diapers, and medical disposables are seeing strong uptake, particularly in rural India, which accounts for nearly 58% of this demand.

The implications are clear. India’s textile industry is no longer just supply-driven, it is becoming demand-led, diversified, and increasingly sophisticated.

For policymakers and businesses alike, this is a wake-up call. The next phase of growth will not be built on exports alone, but on understanding and serving the complexity of the Indian consumer.