What happened: National Handloom Designers’ Conclave 2026 and product showcase

The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, organised the National Handloom Designers’ Conclave 2026 in New Delhi at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre. The conclave brought together policymakers, fashion designers, textile experts, academicians, cluster designers, master weavers, exporters, retailers and other stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening India’s handloom sector through design-led innovation and market-oriented product development.

The conclave was attended by Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, along with Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ms. Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Sh. Akhilesh Kumar, DDG, Ministry of Textiles, and other dignitaries. Dignitaries also visited an exhibition of shortlisted products developed under the National Handloom Design Contest 2026.

What was showcased: shortlisted products across nine handloom clusters

The exhibition highlighted innovative design interventions and contemporary product development initiatives undertaken across nine handloom clusters from eight States. The nine clusters named in the event were: Miranchak Cluster, Purba Bardhaman Cluster, Vanitha Cluster, Dev Bhoomi Bharari Cluster, Dwarka Cluster, Khurkul Cluster, Ridrol Cluster, Imphal East, and Kondapalakala Cluster.

Prize ceremony and categories under National Handloom Design Contest 2026

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