The Commonwealth India textile and apparel (T&A) sector is emerging as a strong pillar of the country’s export economy, showcasing remarkable resilience and adaptability despite facing a turbulent global economic environment. Recent rapid estimate figures released by the Ministry of Commerce reveal that exports from this sector have grown by 6.32 percent in the current fiscal year compared to the previous one. This growth becomes even more significant when placed against the backdrop of stagnant performance in India’s overall merchandise exports, which showed minimal movement during the same timeframe. It highlights the robustness of the T&A industry and its increasing relevance in the global trade arena.
Delving deeper into the data, it becomes evident that the apparel segment has played a pivotal role in driving this upward trajectory. Apparel exports have surged impressively, marking a 10.03 percent increase over the fiscal year. This substantial growth points to a sustained and growing demand for Indian garments in international markets. The performance of apparel exports has effectively offset the relatively slower movement in textile exports, lending overall stability and momentum to the T&A sector as a whole.
However, when analyzing month-to-month figures, certain contrasting trends emerge. From March 2024 to March 2025, textile exports declined approximately 5.81 percent. In contrast, apparel exports managed a moderate but steady increase of 3.97 percent during the same period. This disparity led to a marginal contraction of 1.63 percent in combined textile and apparel exports in March 2025 when compared to the same month in the previous year. Despite this short-term fluctuation, the overarching annual growth trend remains firmly positive, underscoring the sector’s resilience over a longer period.
Looking at the broader timeframe from April 2024 to March 2025, the textile segment rebounded with a year-on-year growth of 3.61 percent. Apparel exports continued their robust performance with a consistent 10.03 percent increase. Together, these figures culminated in a combined 6.32 percent rise in total textile and apparel exports when compared to the period from April 2023 to March 2024. This upward trend reflects the sector’s ability to maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly complex global market.
Industry leaders see this performance not just as a statistical success but as a clear signal of the T&A sector’s global relevance and adaptability. Rakesh Mehra, chairman of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), emphasized that the sector’s sustained growth—especially in the apparel segment—demonstrates its ability to weather economic headwinds and capitalize on emerging opportunities. He credited much of this success to the government’s encouraging policy measures, which have created a more conducive environment for exporters, as well as to the momentum in forging new trade alliances and markets.
Mehra further elaborated that this period marks a critical juncture for India’s T&A industry. With the global trade landscape undergoing significant shifts—particularly due to ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China—India is uniquely positioned to emerge as a preferred sourcing destination. As U.S. importers and retailers seek to diversify their supply chains and reduce dependence on Chinese suppliers, India offers an attractive, reliable, and competitive alternative. This geopolitical shift could potentially open up new markets and opportunities for Indian exporters, particularly in high-demand segments like ready-made garments.
However, Mehra also cautioned that capitalizing on this opportunity will require more than just production capabilities. A strategic and proactive diplomatic approach is essential to secure more favorable and stable tariff regimes. India must engage in coordinated negotiations with key trading partners to ensure that its exporters are not disadvantaged by trade barriers or unfavorable terms. He stressed that the success of such efforts would not only depend on government action but also public-private collaboration, sustained policy support, and a long-term vision for trade competitiveness.
Despite facing intermittent declines in textile exports on a monthly basis, the overall growth story of India’s textile and apparel sector remains robust and forward-looking. The continued strength of apparel exports, in particular, reflects the sector’s growing alignment with global consumer preferences, shifting supply chains, and increased brand consciousness among Indian manufacturers. Furthermore, the industry’s ability to evolve with technological advancements, adopt sustainable practices, and build high-value product lines gives it a competitive advantage in the international market.
Looking ahead, India’s textile and apparel sector appears well-positioned to continue on this growth trajectory. With a combination of strong domestic capabilities, supportive policy frameworks, and evolving global dynamics, the country is poised to strengthen its foothold as a global leader in textiles and garments. Strategic investments in innovation, skill development, and trade infrastructure, along with active participation in global trade dialogues, will be key to sustaining and accelerating this momentum in the years to come.
