Startup Originals Team
India’s textile and apparel sector has reached an estimated size of ₹16 lakh crore, supported by strong domestic demand and rising global interest, as the India International Garment Fair (IIGF) expands its footprint abroad this year. The growth underscores the sector’s resilience and its increasing role in India’s manufacturing and export economy.
Domestic Demand Drives Sector Growth
The Indian textile sector has seen robust growth in local sales over the past year, driven by rising consumer spending, urbanisation, and growing demand for branded and value-added apparel. Industry participants say improved retail penetration, e-commerce growth, and higher fashion awareness have helped expand the domestic market significantly.
Apparel manufacturers and retailers have benefited from faster product cycles and better integration between design, manufacturing, and distribution. This has allowed Indian companies to respond more effectively to changing consumer preferences, contributing to steady revenue growth across segments such as garments, home textiles, and technical textiles.
IIGF Strengthens India’s Global Presence
The expansion of the India International Garment Fair (IIGF) into international markets has played a key role in attracting global buyers to Indian textile and apparel products. This year, IIGF has increased its overseas outreach, hosting and participating in events abroad to showcase Indian capabilities in design, scale, and compliance.
The fair has emerged as a major platform connecting Indian manufacturers with buyers from Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Asia. Industry bodies say the growing international presence of IIGF reflects rising confidence in India as a reliable sourcing destination amid global supply chain diversification.
Growing Interest From Global Buyers
Global buyers attending IIGF have shown increased interest in Indian textiles due to competitive pricing, improved quality standards, and compliance with sustainability norms. Many international brands are actively reducing over-dependence on a single sourcing country and are looking to India for long-term partnerships.
Indian manufacturers have also invested in modern machinery, design capabilities, and certifications, making them more attractive to global retailers. Categories such as cotton garments, fashion wear, knitwear, and sustainable textiles have seen particularly strong interest from overseas buyers.
Exports and Manufacturing Ecosystem
While domestic sales remain a major growth driver, exports continue to be a critical component of the sector. The expansion of IIGF globally has helped Indian exporters access new markets and strengthen relationships with existing buyers.
Government initiatives supporting textile parks, infrastructure development, and production-linked incentives have also contributed to strengthening the manufacturing ecosystem. These measures have helped improve capacity utilisation, reduce logistics costs, and encourage investment in value-added segments.
Industry experts note that the combination of domestic demand growth and export diversification has helped the sector withstand global economic uncertainties better than expected.
Employment and Economic Impact
The textile and apparel sector remains one of India’s largest employers, supporting millions of jobs across the value chain, from fibre and yarn production to garment manufacturing and retail. The expansion of production and exports has contributed to job creation, particularly in labour-intensive segments such as apparel and home textiles.
With IIGF attracting greater international participation, manufacturers expect higher order inflows, which could further support employment growth in the coming quarters.
Outlook for the Textile Sector
Industry stakeholders remain optimistic about the sector’s outlook, citing strong domestic consumption, growing global buyer interest, and supportive policy measures. Sustainability, innovation, and branding are expected to be key focus areas as Indian textile companies aim to move up the value chain.
As the sector reaches the ₹16 lakh crore mark, the expanding global presence of IIGF highlights India’s ambition to position itself as a leading global textile and apparel hub. Continued investment in quality, compliance, and design is likely to shape the next phase of growth for one of India’s oldest and most strategically important industries.
