The Ministry of Textiles will celebrate the 12th National Handloom Day on August 7, 2026, with a national function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi. The event aims to celebrate India's rich handloom heritage and recognize the contribution of the handloom weaving community to the nation's cultural and economic development.
Hon'ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest. The function will be attended by Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of State for Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita, Secretary (Textiles) Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, and Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Dr. M. Beena. Other attendees include Sant Kabir Handloom Awardees, National Handloom Awardees and their family members, handloom weavers from across the country, members of the Awards Selection Committee, eminent personalities associated with the handloom sector, senior government officials, and media representatives.
A major highlight will be the presentation of 22 awards, comprising 03 Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and 19 National Handloom Awards for the year 2025, recognizing outstanding handloom weavers for their craftsmanship, innovation, and contribution to preserving India's handloom traditions. The event will also feature the release of four commemorative postage stamps celebrating India's diverse handloom weaving traditions and the unveiling of two publications: "Earth. Root. Thread – Aal Dyed Handloom Textiles of Central India" and the Handloom Awards Book 2025.
An exhibition showcasing award-winning handloom products will be organized alongside live demonstrations of traditional Kani weaving and Wall Hanging weaving. Additional events planned around National Handloom Day include exhibitions and conclaves (designer, IIHT).
The handloom sector represents one of India's largest sources of sustainable rural employment, supporting the livelihoods of more than 35 lakh persons, with women constituting over 70% of the workforce. The sector serves as a custodian of India's rich textile traditions and contributes to environmentally sustainable production practices.
National Handloom Day is observed annually on August 7 to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement launched on the same date in 1905, which gave renewed impetus to indigenous industries and India's handloom sector. Since its inception in 2015, the observance recognizes the enduring contribution of handloom weavers to the country's cultural heritage and socio-economic development.