National Handloom Day 2026: India Celebrates Rich Weaving Heritage and 35 Lakh Weavers

AI FEED

National Handloom Day will be observed on August 7, 2026.
India has 35.22 lakh handloom weavers and allied workers, with women accounting for over 72% of the workforce.
Government initiatives are promoting digital identity, financial support, innovation and global market access for handloom products.

NEW DELHI: India will celebrate National Handloom Day 2026 on August 7, commemorating the country’s rich weaving heritage and recognising the contribution of 35.22 lakh handloom weavers and allied workers. According to the Ministry of Textiles, the sector continues to preserve traditional craftsmanship while embracing modern design, digital platforms and expanding global markets.

Observed annually since 2015, National Handloom Day marks the anniversary of the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905, which promoted indigenous products and self-reliance during India’s freedom movement.

Women Drive India’s Handloom Sector

The Fourth All India Handloom Census (2019-20) recorded:

35.22 lakh handloom weavers and allied workers.
25.46 lakh women, accounting for over 72% of the workforce.
28.20 lakh handlooms, with nearly 90% located in rural India.

The sector also supports 8.48 lakh workers engaged in pre-loom and post-loom activities such as dyeing, warping and winding, making it a key source of rural employment.

To strengthen identification and improve access to welfare schemes, the Ministry launched the e-Pehchan portal in January 2025. By July 2026, around 84,000 additional handloom workers had received digital identity cards through the platform.

Government Schemes Supporting Handloom Weavers

The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and the Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) remain the government’s flagship initiatives for the sector.

Between 2021-22 and June 2026, the government:

Sanctioned 357 handloom clusters.
Established 200 Handloom Producer Companies.
Organised over 960 handloom expos and marketing events.
Approved around 40,000 loans worth over ₹280 crore under the Weaver MUDRA Scheme.

The Ministry said improved worksheds and electronic jacquards have significantly enhanced productivity, with average monthly incomes in some cases increasing from ₹9,600 to ₹15,000.

Handloom artisans also benefit from social security schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).

Innovation, Global Reach and GI Recognition

The government said Indian handlooms are increasingly gaining visibility through contemporary fashion and international exhibitions.

Initiatives such as Vishwa Sutra, Breathing Threads at Bharat Tex 2025, and Handloom Sarees in Motion at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 have showcased traditional Indian weaves on modern platforms.

The newly launched Handloom Hackathon 2026 encourages students, startups, researchers and artisans to develop innovative solutions in design, sustainability, digital technology and market access.

India’s handloom exports reached approximately ₹1,330.96 crore in 2025-26, with major export markets including the United Arab Emirates, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Spain.