Textile Manufacturing in India: How It Works, Who Leads, and What’s Changing

When you think of textile manufacturing, the process of turning fibers like cotton, polyester, or silk into fabric and finished garments. Also known as fabric production, it’s one of India’s oldest and largest industries, employing over 45 million people and contributing nearly 2% to the country’s GDP. This isn’t just about looms and thread—it’s a complex system that links farmers, spinners, weavers, dyers, and exporters into a single global supply chain.

India’s textile industry, a mix of traditional handloom work and modern automated mills. Also known as fabric and apparel production, it’s not just about cotton shirts and sarees anymore. Technical textiles—used in hospitals, cars, and even space suits—are growing fast. The Indian textile exports, the sale of fabrics, garments, and home textiles to countries like the US, UAE, and Germany. Also known as apparel exports, hit $44 billion in 2023, and are climbing thanks to PLI schemes and lower trade barriers. Meanwhile, garment manufacturing India, the final stage where raw fabric becomes ready-to-wear clothes. Also known as apparel making, is dominated by big players like Arvind Ltd., which leads in revenue, capacity, and global reach. Smaller units still play a huge role, especially in states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, where clusters of small factories churn out everything from denim to sportswear.

What’s driving this growth? Automation is cutting costs and boosting quality. Government support through PLI schemes gives factories cash to upgrade machines. Sustainability is no longer optional—brands want eco-friendly dyes, recycled fibers, and fair labor practices. And exports? They’re not just going to the usual markets anymore. New buyers in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia are stepping in. The real winners? Companies that combine speed, scale, and sustainability.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t theory—it’s real data. Who’s actually leading the pack in 2025? Which countries are buying the most Indian fabric? How do PLI schemes help small mills survive? And why is Gujarat more than just a chemical hub—it’s also a textile powerhouse? These aren’t guesses. These are facts from the floor of India’s factories.