The two-day National Textiles Ministers' Conference 2026, themed "Weaving Growth, Heritage & Innovation," was held in Guwahati, Assam, on January 8–9, 2026, bringing together textile ministers from all states and union territories to chart the future course of India's textile sector.
A significant highlight of the conference was the release of India's Textile Atlas, a comprehensive document mapping the country's textile clusters, handloom and handicraft traditions, raw material production zones, and export hubs. The atlas is intended to serve as a reference tool for policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders to identify opportunities and plan interventions across different textile segments.
Guwahati was chosen as the host city to spotlight the rich textile heritage of northeastern India. The conference included a dedicated Northeast conclave focusing on Eri, Muga, and Mulberry silk — the three silk varieties for which the region is internationally recognised. Muga silk, produced exclusively in Assam, holds a GI (Geographical Indication) tag, underscoring its unique provenance and commercial value.
Key discussions at the conference revolved around textile policy reform, the role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the textile value chain, and the Make in India initiative's impact on domestic manufacturing. Delegates discussed strategies to increase textile exports, with the Ministry of Textiles setting a goal of Rs. 9 lakh crores in exports by 2030.
The conference also addressed challenges in skill development, technology upgradation through the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS), cluster development, and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the sector. States were urged to align their textile policies with the national framework and leverage the PM MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Parks scheme for large-scale manufacturing capacity.