National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) Scheme

NTTM Scheme: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has granted approval for the establishment of the National Technical Textiles Mission, a significant initiative aimed at positioning India as a global leader in the field of technical textiles.

This article provides an in-depth examination of the mission’s objectives, components, and structure, which are essential for government and UPSC exam aspirants to understand. Candidates must prepare comprehensively as questions related to this mission may appear in the GS 2 and GS 3 papers, addressing government policies, growth, and development issues.

National Technical Textiles Mission Scheme Overview

• The CCEA, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its nod for the establishment of this mission.
• The mission will be implemented over a four-year period, from FY 2020-21 to FY 2023-24.
• An allocated budget of Rs 1,480 Crore has been approved for this mission.
• The Ministry of Textiles will operate a dedicated Mission Directorate.
• Mr. Nihar Ranjan Dash has been appointed as the Mission Coordinator by the President of India.
• The mission aligns with the Make in India initiative by the Indian government.

Technical Textiles – A Brief Background

To appreciate the significance of the mission, it is crucial to understand what technical textiles are:

Technical textiles are specialized textile materials and products designed primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than their visual or aesthetic characteristics. These textiles have diverse applications, spanning agriculture, infrastructure (roads and railways), sportswear, healthcare, and even high-end uses like bulletproof jackets and space exploration.

Objectives of the National Technical Textiles Mission

The primary objectives of establishing an independent mission for the development of technical textiles in India are as follows:

1. Global Leadership: To position India as a global leader in the field of technical textiles.
2. Enhanced Penetration: To increase the usage and penetration of technical textiles in India. It’s important to note that the penetration of technical textiles in India is relatively low, ranging from 5% to 10%, compared to advanced countries with penetration levels ranging from 30% to 70%.
3. Global Market Expansion: To expand the global market for Indian technical textiles.
4. Focused Components: The mission is structured into four distinct components to facilitate effective achievement of its objectives.

Components of National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)

The mission comprises four key components:

1. Component I – Research, Innovation, and Development: This component has a budget allocation of Rs. 1,000 Crores and focuses on two key areas:
   • Fundamental research at the fiber level, aiming to develop cutting-edge technological products in areas such as Carbon Fiber, Aramid Fiber, Nylon Fiber, and Composites.
   • Application-based research in sectors such as geo-textiles, agro-textiles, medical textiles, mobile textiles, and sports textiles, with a focus on the development of biodegradable technical textiles. Research will be conducted at reputed institutions, including CSIR laboratories, IITs, and other scientific, industrial, and academic research centers.
2. Component II – Promotion and Market Development: This component targets an average growth rate of 15% to 20% per annum, aiming to increase the domestic market size to 40-50 billion USD by 2024. It will employ strategies such as market development, promotion, international collaborations, and investment promotions.
3. Component III – Export Promotion: With a current export value of approximately Rs. 14,000 Crore per annum, this component aims to raise it to Rs. 20,000 Crore by 2021-22. It also intends to achieve a 10% annual increase in export growth up to 2023-24.
4. Component IV – Education, Training, Skill Development: This component seeks to promote technical education at the engineering level to meet the demands of the rapidly advancing technical textiles sector. It aims to create a highly skilled workforce to support the mission’s requirements.

Through this four-year plan, the Government of India intends to significantly boost the promotion and development of the Indian Technical Textiles sector, leading to economic growth for the country.