IIT Delhi Launches Handloom Technology Centre of Excellence

New Delhi, Aug 3 (PTI) Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Handloom Technology (CoE-HT) at IIT Delhi to modernise India's handloom sector through technology, innovation and research.

Five flagship initiatives were also launched on the occasion to accelerate innovation, sustainability and digital transformation in the handloom sector.

"The Centre of Excellence will undertake research in loom modernisation, ergonomics, artificial intelligence, sustainability, functional innovation and digital technologies," an official statement said.

It will also develop a national repository of handloom knowledge, create AI-enabled tools, facilitate technology transfer, support startups and train at least 1,000 weavers, faculty members and handloom professionals over the next five years, the statement added.


Addressing the event, Singh said that the Centre of Excellence represents the government's vision of combining India's rich weaving heritage with cutting-edge technologies to create a future-ready handloom ecosystem.

He emphasised that innovation, digital technologies, sustainability and entrepreneurship will play a crucial role in improving productivity, enhancing market access and ensuring better livelihoods for handloom weavers.

The five flagship initiatives launched include Handloom 4.0 Mobile App, enabling digital monitoring of loom productivity, quality, maintenance and sustainability; Handloom e-Vidya, a comprehensive digital learning and knowledge platform for capacity building across the handloom ecosystem.

Besides, HandloomX, an accelerator and incubation platform supporting startups and innovators working across the Ministry's 5F value chain was also launched on the occasion.

The other initiatives include Kalagriha Handloom Studio (GenZ Design Studio), leveraging digital technologies to connect contemporary consumers with authentic handloom products; and Threads of Valour, a sustainability initiative that transforms recycled defence textiles into premium handloom fabrics through scientific recycling and skilled craftsmanship.