Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
India considers ₹25,000-crore textile worker training programme
India is considering a ₹25,000-crore training programme for textile and garment workers over five years.
The proposal, called Samarth 2.0, would build on an existing scheme that spent ₹740 crore over five years through March 2026.
The textiles sector employs 45 million people in India, with many jobs held by women and rural workers.
The government wants training to match new technology and the skills factories need, with closer work between industry and educational institutions.
It also aims to more than double textile and garment exports to $100 billion by 2030.
The proposed funding has been examined by a government committee and may go to the Cabinet for final approval.
If approved, the programme is expected to be delivered through industry partners, educational institutions and other sector organizations.
India is considering a ₹25,000-crore programme to train workers in the textiles and garments sector over five years.
The proposed Samarth 2.0 programme is intended to prepare workers for changing technology and industry needs and strengthen export competitiveness.
The proposal has been examined by the Expenditure Finance Committee and could soon go to the Cabinet for final approval.
The sector provides jobs to 45 million people and supports the livelihoods of more than 100 million, most of them women and rural workers.
Industry figures welcomed the proposal and said training should focus on skills relevant to employers.
- Who
- India’s government is considering the programme for workers in the textiles and garments sector.
- What
- A proposed ₹25,000-crore, five-year skilling programme called Samarth 2.0. It is intended to modernise the existing training framework.
- When
- It was announced in the budget for 2026–27. The government is considering it, and it could soon go to the Cabinet for approval.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To prepare workers for changing technology and industry requirements and strengthen manufacturing and export competitiveness.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Samarth 2.0 was announced in the budget.
The existing Samarth 1.0 scheme spent ₹740 crore over five years.
Mint reported that the proposed Samarth 2.0 outlay had been examined by the Expenditure Finance Committee and could soon go to the Cabinet.
- Proposed outlay
- ₹25,000 crore
- Proposed duration
- Five years
- Existing Samarth 1.0 spending
- ₹740 crore through March 2026
- Current fiscal-year allocation
- ₹300 crore
- Sector employment
- 45 million people employed
- Livelihoods supported
- More than 100 million people
What people are saying
Expanding the skilling programme could help address the shortage of trained workers. But the focus should not be only on training numbers but also on industry-relevant skills, productivity and employability.
Closer collaboration between exporters and training institutions will be essential to ensure that workers acquire skills that factories actually need.