Textile Production Comparison Tool
India's Textile Production Calculator
Explore how India's textile production volume compares to global leaders and visualize it through real-world examples.
India doesn’t just make clothes - it makes the world’s clothes. If you’re wearing a cotton shirt, a pair of denim jeans, or even a silk sari, there’s a good chance it started in India. But where does India stand today when it comes to actual textile production? The answer isn’t just a number - it’s a story of tradition, scale, and quiet dominance.
India is the second-largest textile producer in the world
As of 2025, India holds the second rank in global textile production, behind only China. This isn’t a recent jump - it’s the result of decades of steady growth in spinning, weaving, dyeing, and garment manufacturing. India produces over 60 billion square meters of fabric every year. That’s enough to cover the entire country of France with cloth.
The textile industry in India contributes about 2.3% to the country’s GDP and employs more than 45 million people directly. That’s more than the entire population of Sweden working in one industry. And unlike many countries that have moved production overseas, India still makes nearly everything in-house - from raw cotton to finished garments.
What drives India’s textile dominance?
It starts with cotton. India is the world’s largest producer of cotton, growing nearly 6 million bales annually. The black soil of Maharashtra, the fertile plains of Punjab, and the dry lands of Gujarat all feed the looms. But cotton alone doesn’t explain the scale. India also leads in producing jute, silk, wool, and synthetic fibers like polyester.
What makes India unique is its mix of high-tech mills and tiny home-based weavers. In Surat, you’ll find automated power looms churning out millions of meters of polyester fabric. In Kanchipuram, an elderly weaver still sits by a handloom, threading gold zari into silk sarees that sell for thousands. Both are part of the same industry - and both are essential to India’s global rank.
The country has over 2 million textile units. Of those, more than 95% are small and medium-sized enterprises. These aren’t factories with thousand-worker shifts - they’re workshops with five to ten people, often family-run, using machines that are 20 years old but still running. This decentralized model is why India can pivot fast - when global demand shifts from cotton to synthetic blends, these small units adapt quicker than giant Chinese plants.
How does India compare to China and other top producers?
China still leads in total textile output, producing nearly double what India does. But China’s advantage comes from massive state-backed factories and heavy automation. India’s strength lies in diversity and flexibility.
Here’s how the top three stack up in 2025:
| Rank | Country | Annual Output (billion sq. meters) | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 120+ | Mass production, synthetic fibers, automation |
| 2 | India | 60+ | Cotton, handloom, diverse product range, skilled labor |
| 3 | United States | 18 | Technical textiles, high-value fabrics, innovation |
India’s edge? It doesn’t rely on just one kind of fabric. While China dominates in cheap polyester and synthetic blends, India leads in natural fibers - especially cotton and silk. That’s why brands like Zara, H&M, and Uniqlo source their cotton basics from India, even if they assemble the final garments in Bangladesh or Vietnam.
India’s textile exports are growing - and so are the challenges
In 2024, India exported over $44 billion worth of textiles and garments. That’s up from $32 billion just five years ago. The biggest buyers? The United States, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, and the UK. India supplies nearly 15% of the world’s cotton textiles.
But growth isn’t easy. Power cuts still hit small mills in Tamil Nadu. Many weavers can’t afford new machines. And global buyers now demand traceability - they want to know if the cotton was grown sustainably, if workers were paid fairly, if dyes were eco-friendly. India’s small units struggle with certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX.
That’s why the government launched schemes like PM MITRA and the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme. These help small factories upgrade equipment, reduce energy use, and meet international standards. But progress is slow. Many weavers still work in dark rooms with no AC, stitching by hand because they can’t afford a new loom.
What’s next for India’s textile industry?
The future isn’t just about making more fabric - it’s about making smarter fabric. India is investing in technical textiles: medical gowns that kill bacteria, geotextiles for roads, fireproof uniforms for firefighters. These aren’t traditional garments - they’re high-value products with margins 3-5 times higher than regular cotton shirts.
Companies like Arvind Limited and Welspun India are already leading here. Arvind makes denim for Levi’s using waterless dyeing. Welspun produces over 50 million bedsheets a year - mostly for Walmart and Target - using organic cotton.
And then there’s the rise of Indian fashion brands. Labels like Fabindia, Biba, and Anavati are selling directly to global consumers online. They’re not just exporting fabric - they’re exporting culture. A hand-block printed kurta from Jaipur can now be bought in Berlin or Toronto, with a QR code showing the weaver’s name and village.
India’s rank won’t change overnight. But the industry is changing - slowly, steadily, and from the bottom up.
Why India’s rank matters beyond numbers
When you hear "India is #2 in textiles," it sounds like a statistic. But behind that number are millions of people - women in Bihar spinning yarn, men in Ludhiana stitching jackets, artisans in Varanasi weaving brocade.
This isn’t just about exports or GDP. It’s about dignity. It’s about keeping traditions alive while adapting to modern markets. It’s about proving that a country can be both ancient and innovative at the same time.
India doesn’t need to beat China in volume. It just needs to keep doing what it does best: making fabric with soul.
Is India the largest producer of cotton in the world?
Yes, India is the world’s largest producer of cotton, growing around 6 million bales annually. It surpasses the United States and China in cotton output, thanks to vast farmland in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana. Most of this cotton is used domestically in textile mills, but India also exports raw cotton to countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Why doesn’t India rank #1 in textile production despite producing the most cotton?
While India grows the most cotton, China leads in total textile output because it has far more advanced automation, larger factories, and heavy investment in synthetic fibers like polyester. China also controls much of the global supply chain for dyes, chemicals, and machinery. India’s strength is in natural fibers and handcrafted products, which are slower to produce at scale.
Which Indian states are the biggest textile producers?
Tamil Nadu leads in textile output, home to over 15,000 textile units and the city of Coimbatore, known as the "Manchester of South India." Gujarat follows closely, especially in synthetic fabrics and dyeing. Maharashtra, with Surat as its hub, dominates in polyester and power looms. Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are major centers for handloom and silk production.
How much of India’s textile production comes from small businesses?
Over 95% of India’s textile units are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), employing fewer than 50 people. These include home-based weavers, local dyeing units, and small spinning mills. While they account for less than half of total output by volume, they produce the majority of handloom, silk, and ethnic garments - the products that give India its unique global identity.
Are Indian textiles environmentally friendly?
Traditionally, yes - Indian textiles used natural dyes and hand processes with low energy use. But modern mills, especially in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, now use large amounts of water and chemicals. The government is pushing for sustainability through schemes like the Green Textile Mission, which supports organic cotton, zero-discharge dyeing, and solar-powered looms. Brands like Welspun and Arvind are leading the shift toward eco-certified production.
What should you do if you’re sourcing textiles from India?
If you’re a buyer, designer, or brand looking to source from India, here’s what actually works:
- Don’t just chase low prices. Focus on reliability and certification. Look for suppliers with GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) labels.
- Visit clusters - Surat for synthetics, Tirupur for knitwear, Kanchipuram for silk. Don’t order from a website alone.
- Work with SMEs. Many small units have better quality control than big factories because they care about reputation.
- Ask for samples. Textile quality varies wildly. A ₹100/meter fabric from one mill might be better than a ₹200/meter one from another.
- Build relationships. Many Indian suppliers will give you better terms if you return for a second order.
India’s textile industry isn’t perfect. But it’s real. It’s alive. And it’s still growing - one thread at a time.