The Ministry of Textiles convened the 2nd Coordination Committee Meeting of Textile Research Associations (TRAs) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on August 29, 2026, under the chairpersonship of Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary of the Ministry. The meeting represented a significant step toward strengthening coordination, enhancing effectiveness, and promoting greater outcome-orientation in textile research and development activities across India.
Attendance included senior officers of the Ministry of Textiles, senior representatives of Textile Research Associations, and representatives from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Department of Science & Technology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), and IITs. The full-day intensive brainstorming session featured detailed deliberations on research priorities, technology development, innovation, industry linkages, commercialization of R&D outcomes, and institutional strengthening of TRAs.
The meeting reviewed progress made since the 1st Coordination Committee Meeting on various initiatives, including strengthening of equipment inventory and digital information through the i-TRAMS portal, constitution of sub-committees, identification of Centres of Excellence and New Age Fibres, and consultations on emerging areas of technical textiles. Deliberations focused on further aligning TRA activities with national priorities and evolving requirements of the textile industry.
Key discussion areas included global benchmarking of Centres of Excellence, adoption of a structured Technology Readiness Assessment Framework, strengthening the startup and innovation ecosystem, development of a common e-library platform, mobilization of external funding, effective implementation of projects under the National Technical Textiles Mission, membership growth, skill development, governance reforms, and performance evaluation.
The Government emphasized that research undertaken by TRAs should be increasingly industry-driven, outcome-oriented, and measurable, with greater focus on translating research into technologies, patents, prototypes, commercialization opportunities, import substitution, and practical solutions to industry challenges—particularly those faced by MSMEs. Industry participation was recommended to commence at the conceptualization stage of research to ensure relevance and adoption of R&D outcomes.
The Five-Year Plans and Annual Action Plans for 2026–27 of TRAs are expected to provide a clear strategic roadmap covering R&D, technology development, testing and standardization, capacity building, innovation, and institutional collaborations. Effective utilization of i-TRAMS was emphasized for monitoring activities, sharing information, mapping research capabilities, and facilitating linkages between industry requirements and TRA expertise.
The meeting highlighted the need for a robust KPI-based performance evaluation framework supported by reliable data and periodic review to ensure accountability, effective utilization of resources, and timely achievement of measurable outcomes. The session concluded with a shared commitment toward building a stronger, globally competitive, and innovation-driven textile research ecosystem with enhanced collaboration among TRAs, industry, startups, academia, and research institutions.