What happened: IIHT SUTRA 2026 inaugurated at New Delhi

The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, organised IIHT SUTRA 2026—the Inaugural National Conclave of the Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology—at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi on 13 August 2026. The conclave was organised as a national platform for policymakers, academia, industry leaders, research institutions, alumni and students to deliberate on the future of handloom education and its role in strengthening India’s handloom ecosystem.

IIHT SUTRA 2026 was held under the theme “IIHTs: Weaving the Future of the Indian Handloom Sector – Educate. Innovate. Transform.” The Ministry positioned the conclave as a step to reposition the Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology (IIHTs) toward technical education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration.

The inauguration was done by Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles, with Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Textiles, and Dr. Beena M., Development Commissioner (Handlooms) present.

The conclave included honours for meritorious IIHT students with Gold Medals and Rank Certificates, release of a Ministry publication titled “Handloom Change Makers”, and launch of the Ministry film “Weaving India’s Handloom Future”. It also featured an exhibition of student innovations, institutional achievements, live demonstrations, research initiatives and emerging technologies, along with interactions between students, faculty and alumni.

A technical session included a panel discussion on “Strengthening Handloom Education through Industry–Academia Collaboration: Curriculum, Skills and Future Readiness” with representatives from industry, academia, research institutions and alumni discussing curriculum reforms, industry partnerships, applied research, entrepreneurship, emerging technologies and skill development.

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