On May 23, 2025, the Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, engaged with industry representatives and beneficiaries of the Samarth Scheme to discuss its transformative impact on India’s textile sector. The interaction highlighted the scheme’s success in empowering livelihoods, particularly for women, and positioning India as a global textile hub.
Overview of the Samarth Scheme
Skill Development for a Strong Workforce
The Samarth Scheme, officially known as the Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector, is a demand-driven, placement-oriented initiative by the Ministry of Textiles. It focuses on skilling individuals across the textile value chain, excluding spinning and weaving, to create job opportunities in organized sectors like handloom, handicraft, jute, and silk. The scheme aims to modernize infrastructure, foster innovation, and upgrade technology through a skilled workforce, strengthening India’s global standing in textiles.
Impact and Achievements
Empowering 4.32 Lakh Beneficiaries
The Samarth Scheme has trained 4.32 lakh beneficiaries, with 3.20 lakh securing placements, achieving a remarkable 74% employment rate. Notably, 88% of beneficiaries are women, underscoring the scheme’s role in promoting gender-inclusive development. Beneficiaries from diverse regions, from Jammu & Kashmir to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, have shared success stories, highlighting how the scheme has enhanced their livelihoods through skill development.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Beneficiaries Trained | 4.32 Lakh |
| Beneficiaries Placed | 3.20 Lakh (74% Employment Rate) |
| Women Beneficiaries | 88% |
| Geographical Coverage | Across India, including Jammu & Kashmir to Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
Industry Insights and Challenges
Building a Global Textile Hub
During the interaction on May 23, 2025, industry representatives shared insights on the scheme’s current status, growth potential, and challenges. They emphasized the need to address bottlenecks in skill development and infrastructure to maximize opportunities for skilled manpower. The textile sector, one of India’s largest employment-generating industries, is poised for growth through modernization and innovation, with the Samarth Scheme playing a pivotal role.
Key Highlights
- The Samarth Scheme interaction took place on May 23, 2025, led by Union Minister Shri Giriraj Singh.
- 4.32 lakh beneficiaries trained, with 3.20 lakh placed (74% employment rate).
- 88% of beneficiaries are women, promoting gender-inclusive growth.
- The scheme covers the entire textile value chain (excluding spinning and weaving) across India.
- It supports modernization, innovation, and skill development to establish India as a global textile hub.