India’s textile industry 

• Current value: India's textile industry, valued at US$ 250 billion, provides jobs to 50 million people. India is present across all parts of the value chain.
• Global Trade Contribution: India contributes around 4.6% of the global trade in textiles and apparel.
• Garment export (2013 to 2023): India's exports grew only by 4.6 % against Vietnam's by 81.6% and Bangladesh's by 69.6%

Key Challenges in India’s Textile Industry 

• Complex Export Procedures: Outdated and intricate procedures by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and customs hinder exports. 
• Import Restrictions: High import duties and mandatory quality norms on raw materials like polyester and viscose staple fibers complicate imports, making it hard to compete globally. 
• Weak Weaving and Processing Sectors: Small, informal weaving and processing units lack advanced technology and scale, leading to higher costs and lower quality compared to Chinese counterparts. 
• Fast Fashion Impact: Frequent changes in fashion affect the fabric and input consumption, making old norms impractical.