Guidelines for Technical Textiles Degree Programme in UG & PG issued

The Ministry of Textiles has given clearance to two guidelines, namely, ‘General Guidelines for Enabling of Academic Institutes in Technical Textiles- for Private & Public Institutes’ and ‘General Guidelines for Grant for Internship Support in Technical Textiles (GIST)’, under the Flagship Programme of National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). 

• Aim: With a view to positioning the country as a global leader in Technical Textiles, the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) has been approved with a four-year implementation period from FY 2020-21 to 2023-24.
• Need of the initiative:
  • Technical Textiles are a futuristic and niche segment of textiles, which are used for various applications ranging from agriculture, roads, railway tracks, sportswear, and health on one end to bulletproof jackets, fireproof jackets, high altitude combat gear and space applications on another end of the spectrum.

Details of the guidelines:

• The ‘General Guidelines for Enabling of Academic Institutes in Technical Textiles- For Private  & Public Institutes’:
  • It will enable the New Technical Textiles Degree Programme (UG & PG) and update existing conventional degree programmes with new papers on Technical Textiles.
  • Objective: To develop an eco-system in technical textiles not only in the textile field but other disciplines of Engineering like Civil, Mechanical, Electronics etc., Agriculture institutes, Medical Colleges, and Fashion institutes.
  • The Guidelines cover the funding of up-gradation/enhancement of laboratory equipment, training of lab personnel and specialized training of Faculty members of the relevant department/specialization in the University/Institute, with respect to the undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) degree programmes.
  • This will cover Public funded institutions and also private institutions having NIRF ranking.
  • The assistance for introducing a full course in technical textiles and is up to 20 crores PG course and up to 10 Crores at UG level.

Significance:

• The guidelines will put emphasis on creating an effective and world-class knowledge ecosystem to make India a world leader in the field of technical textiles in the next decade.
• India will take a huge leap in cutting-edge research, production, and innovative applications related to Technical Textiles, driven by the set of highly educated and competent professionals.
• General Guidelines for Grant for Internship Support in Technical Textiles (GIST):
  • It shall be conducted in two phases;

(i) Empanelment of the eligible Companies,

(ii) Internship Program, wherein the grant of up to INR 20,000 per student per month shall be provided to the empanelled companies, subject to the maximum period of 2 months of funding support for the internship period.

• • The eligible agencies will be textile industries with a turn of more than 10 crores, Textile Research associations under the Ministry and textile machinery manufacturers.
  • The empanelled industries/ institutions can give training to engineering institutes of concerned discipline in publicly funded institutions and also to Private institutions with NIRF ranking up to 200.

Significance:

• This move will support in the creation of quality manpower, especially industry-trained engineers and professionals, and highly skilled workmen both for manufacturing and application areas of technical textiles along with fostering Academia–Industry linkages in the field of Technical Textiles.