Despite international pressures, India’s textile exports demonstrated remarkable resilience, reaching ₹3,16,334.9 crore in FY26—a 2.1% rise from FY25’s ₹3,09,859.3 crore. The Centre’s Wednesday disclosure paints a picture of steady expansion in a competitive landscape.
The ready-made garments segment stole the spotlight, growing 2.9% to ₹1,39,349.6 crore. Traditional categories like cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups, and handlooms remained flat at ₹1,02,399.7 crore, anchoring overall stability.
A standout performer was man-made textiles, which grew 3.6% to ₹42,687.8 crore. Handicrafts, sans hand-knotted carpets, saw the highest jump at 6.1% to ₹15,855.1 crore, reflecting demand for Indian craftsmanship.
Market diversification was evident, with shipments to 120 countries in the April 2025-February 2026 period. Top performers included UAE (22.3%), UK (7.8%), Germany (9.9%), Spain (15.5%), Japan (20.6%), and African markets like Egypt (38.3%), Nigeria (21.4%), Senegal (54.4%), and Sudan (205.6%).
Backing this success are government measures like extended ROSCTL and RODTEP schemes for tax relief. FTA negotiations advanced significantly in 2025-26, setting the stage for enhanced apparel and textile trade.
As India eyes sustained growth, these figures affirm the sector’s vitality and the effectiveness of policy interventions in fostering global competitiveness.
