Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday inaugurated IIHT SUTRA 2026, the first national conclave of the Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology (IIHTs), aimed at strengthening technical education, research, innovation and industry collaboration in the handloom sector.
The conclave, organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, brought together policymakers, academics, industry representatives, research institutions, alumni and students to discuss the future of handloom education.
Held under the theme “IIHTs: Weaving the Future of the Indian Handloom Sector – Educate. Innovate. Transform.”, the event sought to reposition IIHTs as centres of excellence for technical education, research, entrepreneurship and technological innovation.
Singh said India’s handloom sector represents an important part of the country’s cultural heritage while also contributing to livelihoods, women’s empowerment, exports and sustainable economic development.
He emphasised that preserving traditional handloom practices must go hand in hand with technological advancement, innovation, entrepreneurship and research.
The Minister highlighted the role of IIHTs in producing skilled technocrats who can contribute to productivity enhancement, design innovation, technology upgradation and the global competitiveness of the handloom sector.
Six Central and five State IIHTs
Singh said the six Central IIHTs and five State IIHTs have produced generations of skilled professionals over the past seven decades. Their alumni are contributing to industry, entrepreneurship, exports, research and public institutions.
He also highlighted recent efforts to expand B.Tech programmes, strengthen research, modernise laboratories and infrastructure, enhance student support and provide international training opportunities.
Textiles Secretary Neelam Shami Rao stressed the need to continuously modernise handloom education by aligning curricula with emerging technologies and strengthening industry partnerships.
She said IIHTs should evolve into institutions that prepare students not only for employment but also for entrepreneurship, leadership and research in the textile and handloom sectors.
Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Beena M. described IIHT SUTRA as a long-term institutional initiative designed to create a collaborative national platform for the institutes.
She said the initiative would strengthen partnerships among the government, industry, academia, research institutions and alumni and help IIHTs become future-ready institutions supporting innovation, sustainability and technological advancement.
Three strategic MoUs signed
A major highlight of the conclave was the signing of three strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) involving IIHTs and institutions from industry, research and management education.
The first MoU with Grasim Industries Limited will focus on curriculum enrichment, internships, industry exposure, skill development and collaborative initiatives.
The second, with the Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA), will promote collaborative research, testing, innovation, technical support and capacity building.
The third MoU with IIM Sambalpur will focus on leadership development, entrepreneurship, innovation, faculty development and institutional capacity building.
The partnerships are expected to provide IIHTs with greater exposure to industry requirements, applied research and management practices, thereby improving the relevance of technical education in the handloom sector.
Students and alumni honoured
During the event, meritorious IIHT students were awarded Gold Medals and Rank Certificates for their academic performance.
The Ministry also released “Handloom Change Makers”, a publication highlighting the achievements of distinguished IIHT alumni in industry, entrepreneurship, exports, research and public service.
Singh also launched the Ministry’s film “Weaving India’s Handloom Future”, which showcases the journey and achievements of the IIHTs and their contribution to developing skilled professionals for the handloom sector.
An exhibition at the conclave featured student innovations, institutional achievements, research initiatives, live demonstrations and emerging technologies adopted by the institutes.
The event also featured a panel discussion on “Strengthening Handloom Education through Industry-Academia Collaboration: Curriculum, Skills and Future Readiness.” Representatives from industry, academia, research institutions and IIHT alumni discussed curriculum reforms, applied research, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship and skill development.
The Ministry said IIHT SUTRA 2026 marks a significant step towards strengthening handloom education through strategic partnerships, research and innovation while preparing future-ready professionals for the evolving requirements of India’s handloom industry.
