The Ministry of Textiles will celebrate the 12th National Handloom Day on August 7, 2026, with a national function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre (RBCC) in New Delhi to honour India’s rich handloom heritage and recognise the contribution of the country’s weaving community to cultural and economic development.
President Droupadi Murmu will attend the event as the Chief Guest. Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, Secretary (Textiles) Neelam Shami Rao and Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Dr. M. Beena will also be present.
The event will bring together Sant Kabir Handloom Awardees, National Handloom Awardees and their family members, handloom weavers from across the country, members of the Awards Selection Committee, eminent personalities associated with the handloom sector, senior government officials and media representatives.
A major highlight of the celebrations will be the presentation of the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and the National Handloom Awards for the year 2025. A total of 22 awards, including three Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and 19 National Handloom Awards, will be conferred on outstanding handloom weavers in recognition of their craftsmanship, innovation and contribution to preserving India’s handloom traditions.
The programme will also feature the release of four commemorative postage stamps celebrating India’s diverse handloom weaving traditions.
Two publications – “Earth. Root. Thread – Aal Dyed Handloom Textiles of Central India” and the Handloom Awards Book 2025 – will also be unveiled during the event.
An exhibition showcasing award-winning handloom products will be organised on the sidelines of the celebrations. Visitors will also have the opportunity to witness live demonstrations of traditional Kani weaving and Wall Hanging weaving, offering a glimpse into the diversity and craftsmanship of India’s handloom traditions.
The Ministry said several other events, including exhibitions and conclaves involving designers and Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology (IIHTs), have also been planned around National Handloom Day.
According to the Ministry, India’s handloom sector remains one of the country’s largest sources of sustainable rural employment, supporting the livelihoods of more than 35 lakh people, with women accounting for over 70 per cent of the workforce. Besides its economic importance, the sector continues to preserve India’s textile heritage while promoting environmentally sustainable production practices.
National Handloom Day is observed every year on August 7 to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement launched on the same day in 1905, which gave renewed impetus to indigenous industries and India’s handloom sector. Instituted in 2015, the annual observance celebrates the artistry and dedication of handloom weavers while reaffirming the government’s commitment to the preservation, promotion and sustainable development of the sector.
