Why in the News?
- Ministry of Textiles achieved a major milestone by signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) recently with 15 States during the National Textile Ministers’ Conference in Guwahati.
- These MoUs operationalize the Tex-RAMPS (Textiles focused Research, Assessment, Monitoring, Planning and Start-Up) scheme at the state level.
- This initiative is designed to transition the Indian textile industry from ad-hoc planning to evidence-based policymaking, aiming to reach a $350 billion market valuation by 2030.
- Theme: “India’s Textiles: Weaving Growth, Heritage & Innovation.”
About Tex-RAMPS Scheme
- Full Name: Textiles-focused Research, Assessment, Monitoring, Planning, and Start-up (Tex-RAMPS)
- Implementation: Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Ministry of Textiles.
- Financial Outlay: ₹305 crore for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31 (co-terminus with Finance Commission cycle).
- Grant Assistance:
- ₹12 lakh annually to each State/UT.
- ₹1 lakh annually per district based on execution of district action plans.
- Focus: Clusters and districts across sectors like handlooms, handicrafts, apparel, and technical textiles.
Objectives and Vision of Tex-RAMPS Scheme
According to the Ministry of Textiles, the scheme seeks to synergize research, data, and innovation to establish India as a global leader in sustainable practices, advanced technologies, and competitive manufacturing. Its key aims are:
- Develop a national ecosystem for textile research and innovation.
- Enable evidence-based policymaking through advanced data systems.
- Promote sustainability and efficiency across the textile value chain.
- Support high-value textile start-ups and entrepreneurship.
- Enhance collaboration among States, industry, academia, and government.
Key Components of Tex-RAMPS Scheme
- Research and Innovation:
- Encourages advanced research in areas such as smart textiles, sustainability, process efficiency, and emerging technologies.
- Aims to enhance India’s innovation capacity and strengthen its position in the global textile sector.
- Data, Analytics, and Diagnostics:
- Develops robust textile data systems covering employment studies, supply chain mapping, and nationwide assessments like the India-Size study.
- Supports evidence-based policymaking and informed strategic decisions at both State and national levels.
- Integrated Textiles Statistical System (ITSS):
- Establishes a real-time, centralized data and analytics platform.
- Facilitates structured monitoring, diagnostics, and strategic planning for the textile sector.
- Capacity Development and Knowledge Ecosystem:
- Strengthens planning and decision-making at the State level.
- Promotes sharing of best practices, organization of capacity-building workshops, and sector-specific events.
- Enhances human resources and institutional capabilities within the textile ecosystem.
- Start-up and Innovation Support:
- Provides support to incubators, innovation challenges, hackathons, and academia-industry collaborations.
- Aims to nurture high-value textile start-ups and foster entrepreneurship in technical textiles, smart fabrics, and sustainable materials.
Expected Outcomes of Tex-RAMPS Scheme
- Strengthened global competitiveness of India’s textile and apparel industry.
- Enhanced research and innovation ecosystem within the sector.
- Improved data-driven policymaking and strategic planning.
- Generation of employment opportunities across clusters and regions.
- Fostered collaboration between States, industry, academia, and government institutions.
Q. Consider the following statements about the Tex-RAMPS Scheme:
1. It aims to promote research, innovation, and start-ups in the textile sector.
2. The scheme is co-funded by the Central and State governments.
3. Financial assistance under the scheme includes annual grants to States and additional grants to districts.
4. It focuses on clusters in handlooms, handicrafts, apparel, and technical textiles.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) All of the above
Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: Tex-RAMPS aims to strengthen research, innovation, and start-ups in the textile sector through advanced technologies, smart textiles, sustainability initiatives, and entrepreneurship support.
● Statement 2 is incorrect: Tex-RAMPS is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Ministry of Textiles. It is not co-funded by State governments.
● Statement 3 is correct: The scheme provides annual grants of ₹12 lakh to each State/UT and additional grants of ₹1 lakh per district depending on the execution of district action plans.
● Statement 4 is correct: The scheme targets textile clusters and districts across key sectors such as handlooms, handicrafts, apparel, and technical textiles.
