Technical Textiles

Education in Academic
Institutions and
Universities in India
4.1 Introduction
Universities and Academic institutions are important instruments for dissemination of relevant knowledge and
for encouraging new ideas and innovation in any field, and technical textiles is no exception. A primary survey
of all the academic institutions and universities which offer textile related programmes and courses in India
was conducted by IIT Delhi. The responses to the survey have then been documented and analysed to serve
as inputs for policy makers. This may help in formulating better policy interventions for supporting technical
textiles industry in India.

4.2 Methodology
All the Academic institutions and universities of the country which offer programmes in textiles at different
levels (undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D.) were identified for the study. A semi-structured questionnaire
targeted at Heads of Institutions/Heads of Textile Departments was developed by the experts at Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. The scope of the questionnaire covered among other things, institution
level data about the textile-based programmes and courses being offered, curriculum, faculty resources,
machines and equipment installed, number of students, research conducted, projects and consultancy
assignments, challenges being faced and future areas likely to be pursued for growth.

4.3 Findings from the Primary Survey of

Academic Institutions in India
Textile related programmes offered by academic institutions and universities in India

Government of India has identified Technical Textiles as a sector that needs to be put on an accelerated
growth path to unlock India’s potential and to harness market opportunities in domestic and international
arena. There is a need to develop a pool of human resources who are trained for specialised skills and
knowledge of technical textiles so that they can undertake new developments and innovations. However, in
India, most of the courses related to technical textiles are offered under the broad aegis of textile as a
discipline.
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We identified and contacted all the academic institutions/university departments which offer technology
programmes in textiles. A total of 31 academic institutions and universities participated in the survey.

Table 4.1: Textiles related programmes offered, sanctioned strength and number of
students passed out
Name of Programme No. of institutions Total sanctioned Total number of
offering the strength students who
programme passed (2019)

1 B.Tech. / B. Sc. 31 2134 1747

2 M.Tech. 16 375 120
3 Ph. D. 9 243 7
  Total 31 2752 1874

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

Key Findings:

 Technical textiles-related programmes are taught at four levels viz. Diploma, Bachelor’s (B.Tech.
/B.Sc.), Master’s (M.Tech.) and Doctoral (Ph.D.). The colleges/institutes offering diploma courses are
outside the scope of the present study’s primary survey but list of all such institutions has been provided
in the annexure of this report.

 The institutes/colleges/ university departments contacted for the survey offer Bachelor’s and Master’s
programmes in:
i. Textile Technology,
ii. Textile Engineering,
iii. Carpet and Textile Technology,
iv. Textile Chemistry,
v. Jute and Fibre Technology etc.

 Even though most of these programmes have an elective (optional) course related to technical
textiles, none of the institutions reported offering a complete specialised programme on technical textiles.

 All the 31 respondent institutions/universities offer Bachelor degree programmes. Master and Doctoral
programmes are offered by 16 and 9 institutions respectively.

 Bachelor programmes have the highest sanctioned aggregate number of students, and these
comprise 78% of the total sanctioned strength for all programmes.

 More than half the seats remain vacant in programmes other than the Bachelor programme (as per
2019 data). At Bachelor level, nearly one in five seats remained unfilled in the respondent institutions.

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 There are 9 respondent institutions that offer PhD. programme in textiles. The names of the
institutions and their respective sanctioned student intake are presented in the following table:

Table 4.2: Institutions/ Universities offering Ph.D. programmes in textiles (2019)

Name of Institutions/Universities Sanctioned Students who

strength passed in 2019

1 Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya 8 0

2 DKTE Textile & Engineering Institute, Kolhapur Open 3

3 Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore Open 2

4 MLV Textile and Engineering College, Bhilwara 8 0

5 University of Calcutta, Department of Jute and Fibre 12 3

Technology (erstwhile-Institute of Jute Technology)

6 Uttar Pradesh Textile Technology Institute, Kanpur 14 0

7 The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda 34 2

8 Anna University Open 3

9 IIT Delhi 11

Total 7

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

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4.3.1 Faculty strength and break up

Figure 4.1: Distribution of faculty in various positions

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

Key Findings:

 Of the 380 faculty members across 31 institutions, 188 are Assistant Professors, 67 are Associate
Professors, 65 are Professors, 12 are Lecturers and 48 are Guest/Adjunct faculty.

4.3.2 Faculty to student ratio (2019)

The faculty to student ratio is an important indicator of adequacy of required number of teaching resources
available to the students. The following table presents the ratio of number of students per faculty in 2019.
The data highlights that there was one teacher (including guest/adjunct faculty) for every 27 students and
one teacher (excluding guest/adjunct faculty) for every 31 students.

Table 4.3: Faculty to student ratio (2019)

Total faculty Total sanctioned number of
strength students
Total Number 380 10258
Number of students per faculty 27
(including guest/adjunct faculty)
Number of students per faculty 31
(excluding guest/adjunct faculty)

Calculation is based on sanctioned student strength = (2134 x 4) + (375 x 2) + (243 x 4) divided by 38

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4.3.3 Library resources

Books, journals, research reports and other resources of the library play a key role in knowledge conservation
and dissemination. The following table gives an aggregate view of the library resources of the participating
institutions.

Table 4.4: Library Resources

Number of Number of Number of national
books International journals journal subscriptions
subscriptions
Total number 146949 2164 477
Number of books per 14.32 0.21 0.05
sanctioned student

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

Key Findings:

 The information reported by 31 institutions and presented in the table above indicates a low level of
availability of library resources.

4.3.4 Funded/Sponsored Projects (2015-2020)

Figure 4.2: Funded / sponsored projects (2015-2020)

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

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Key Findings:

 13 (42%) out of 31 academic institutions were involved in funded/sponsored projects during 2015-
2020. The names of such institutions and the titles of the funded/sponsored projects are presented in
Table 4.5.

 The total number of projects (top ten in terms of value) undertaken by these 13 universities is 87, and
the project funding for these amounts to Rs. 108 Crores.

Table 4.5: Sponsored/funded projects reported by academic institutions (2015-2020)

S. Name of Academic Projects undertaken (Top 10 in during 2015-2020)

No. Institution/ University
Department

1 College of Engineering and Enhancing light fastness of dyed Nomex Fabric by Nano-Dyeing
Technology, Bhubaneswar

2 Institute of Chemical Modification of synthetic fibres and their colouration

Technology (ICT), Mumbai
Development of mosquito repellent textiles

Product development through wet processing

Covalently coupled pentacene dimers: novel materials for organic

photovoltaics

Biodegradable flame retardants

Phenanthroline-ly coupled tetracene dimers: novel materials for organic

electronics

Novel reactive dye system based on diazonium salts

Development of triple-layered nanofibrous bandages as a wound

dressing material

Development of new generation high-performance auto responsive green

textile through renewable energy resources

singlet fission via extended aromaticity of azacenes: (sfeaa) novel material

for potential solar cell applications

product development through wet processing

to evaluate the efficiency of natural dye formulation as hair dye

development of specialty chemicals

research & development of specialty chemicals using biotechnology

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3 Kumaraguru College of Development of characterisation of banana peel protease – based

Technology, Coimbatore wound dressing material for genital warts

Development of flame retardant home textiles with self-cleaning and

antibacterial properties.

Design and fabrication of computerised dynamic knittability tester for

hosiery yarns

Development of self-cleaning finish in home textile material

4 Indian Institute of Carpet Development of woven carpets in terry pile structure loom in hand
Technology, Bhadohi made carpet perspective

Application of jute material in hand made carpets

Promotion of handmade carpet through improved and predictable wear

performance of handmade woolen carpets

Promotion of handmade carpet through incorporation of tug reed

mechanism in handloom

Promotion of handmade carpet through optimum utilisation of Indian

wool in hand made carpets

Promotion of handmade carpet through development of vertical

mechanised durry loom

Promotion of handmade carpet through incorporation of jacquard

mechanism for designing of pile carpet

Promotion of handmade carpet through development of continuous

tufting system

Promotion of handmade carpet through survey based database and

studies on process standardisation for woolen/semi-worsted yarn
manufacturing

Studies on silk carpet

5 DKTE Textile & Engineering Cluster Management Technical Agency (CMTA) for power loom mega
Institute, Kolhapur cluster scheme

Centre of excellence in nonwovens

MODROB - Development of textile chemistry laboratory

Focus Incubation Centre in coated technical textiles

Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC)

Research & Development project - Development of spinning waste

linen fiber based non-wovens for technical textiles applications

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Research promotion scheme-study of lubricants used in textile

machines

MODROB-procurement of wet spinning machine

Development of textile chemistry laboratory-upgradation of textile

chemical processing laboratory

6 Uttar Pradesh Textile Wastewater effluent treatment by using PPY (polypyrrole) based nano-
Technology Institute, Kanpur clay composites

Insulating materials development and evaluation

Development of antimicrobial textiles using biowaste: synthesis and

characterisation

7 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Design of fabric tensile impact testing machine

Institute of Technology,
Jalandhar Optimisation of pulse cleaning parameters for achieving high-level
performance of filter media during industrial pollution control

Designing of wet abrasion tester

Design of pulse jet filtration

8 K. S. Rangasamy College of Design and development of anti-diabetic herbal medical suture

Technology, Namakkal

9 NITRA Technical Campus, Development of electronic drape meter based on image analysis
Ghaziabad technique

Development of fabric smoothness tester

Development of smart protective textiles for firefighters, soldiers and

old-age people

Development of protective work-wear for cement porters

Development of multi-layered flame & thermal resistant fabric for

firefighter clothing

Development of value-added product from different fibres in Himalayan

region

Development of improved version of body protector used for riots

control

Development of air cleaner home textiles to reduce indoor air pollution

Development of technical textiles products in the field of feminine

hygiene

10 IIT Delhi Development of soft body armour using shear thickening fluids

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Development of multi-layered coated and laminated fabric for aerostat

hull material

Design and development of laminated fabric for high altitude airship

Design and development of extreme heat protective clothing

Extreme cold weather clothing for defence personnel

Direct 3D bio-printing strategies to study articular cartilage

development, degeneration and regeneration

11 Anna University, Chennai Development of centrifugal spinning machine prototype for production
of nanofibers and its application in tissue engineering

Fabrication of biomimetic nerve guide by a facile ultrafine fibre spinning

method

Design and development of novel microfibre spinning assembly for

health care application

Development of aerosol filters using silica aerogel and textile

composites

Bulk scale sustainable salt-free exhaust dyeing on cationized cotton knit

fabrics

12 University of Calcutta, Coating/finishing of textile based on jute and other natural fibres for
Department of Jute and Fibre technical applications
Technology (Erstwhile-
Institute of Jute Technology, Development of eco-friendly natural fibre-based textile (oekotech
Kolkata products) with simultaneous natural dyeing and natural finishing and to
establish natural dye /finish mark

Design and development of jute-cotton blend based nonwoven fabrics

for potential uses as surgical disposable (SD), medical packaging (MP)
and medical disposable baggage (MDB) materials

Development of products from Himalayan Indian nettle

Standardisation of fire-retardant finish for jute fabric

Design and engineering of industrial wipes for potential application in

fluid absorption

Development of bags made from jute fabric aluminum foil laminate for
packaging of tea

Design and engineering of jute and jute blended combined fabrics and
its suitable after-treatment to develop geomembrane and tarfelt for
potential use

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Designing, engineering and application of jute based agrotextiles: a

bio-engineering measure for soil and water conservation and fertility
enhancement of the barren and baid lands of Purulia, West Bengal,
India

13 Department of Textile Centre for excellence for Industrial Textiles (Indutech)

Technology, PSG College of
Technology, Coimbatore Focus Incubation Centre (FIC)

Development of jute/jute blended fibrous mat for effluent filtration

applications

Recycling of textile industrial waste as value added composite materials

Design & development of electro-active sensor fabrics (body kinematics

and vital signs)

Development of antimicrobial suture using PLLA fibres spun (dry-jet-

wet spinning)

MODROB in textile chemical processing laboratory

Development of durable antimicrobial face mask using natural fungal

extract

Development of active sportswear using bi-layer knitted fabrics

Development of antimicrobial silk suture materials

Development of oil sorption and sound absorption pad using natural

fibre based non wovens textiles for sustainability

The following chart presents segment-wise distribution of the projects undertaken by the academic institutions:
Figure 4.3: Segment–wise distribution of 87 funded / sponsored projects in last six years (2015-2020)

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

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Key Findings:

 The highest number (16) of projects are in Hometech segment with a total project value of Rs. 7.50
Crores.

 The other major segments with such projects are Protech at 15%, Meditech at 14%, Indutech at 13%
and Clothtech at 12%.

 Four segments – Agrotech, Buildtech, Geotech and Sportech – reported one funded project each
during the period 2015-2020.

4.3.5 Machines and equipment worth more than Rs. 5 Lakhs each,
installed in last three years (2017-2020)
Figure 4.4: Machines and equipment installed in the last three years

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

Key Findings:

 There are 10 academic institutions that reported having installed a total of 63 machines and
equipment related to technical textiles during 2017-2020).

 The total cost of all the machines and equipment installed is around Rs. 10 Crores.

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4.3.6 Placement of Students

Number of students placed in the industry over the past five years is as follows:
Table 4.6: Number of students placed in conventional textiles and technical textiles sector
(2015- 2019)
Year Total no. of students Total no. of students Total no. of Percentage of
placed in conventional placed in technical students placed students placed
textiles sector textiles sector each year in Technical
(A) (B) (C = A +B) Textiles

2015 992 41 1033 3.9

2016 902 34 936 3.6
2017 943 43 987 4.4
2018 864 67 931 7.2
2019 834 41 875 4.7
Total 4535 226 4762 4.7

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

Key Findings:

 Over the past five years, the number of students pursuing technology and engineering programmes in
the textiles field has declined.

 Only one in 25 students was finally placed in the technical textiles sector.

4.3.7 Patents Granted

Information furnished by the academic institutions with respect to patents applied and granted is summarised
in the following table:
Table 7: Patents related to technical textiles products/ machinery/ raw materials
for the period 2015-2020
S. No. Category National International Total
1 Patents applied for and under consideration 32 7 39
2 Patents granted 14 3 17
Total 46 10 56

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

Key Findings:

 The success rate of granting patents is 30 percent.

 International patents as a percentage of total applications is 17.85 percent.

 International patents granted as a percentage of total patents granted are 17.64 percent.

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4.3.8 Number of publications (2015-2020)

Table 4.8: Number of publications (2015-2020)

S. Type of 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

No. publications

1 Journal articles 150 128 238 166 125 92

2 Research reports 3 6 8 10 7 2

3 Books 5 9 5 5 8 5

4 Others (Book 27 11 22 42 38 20
chapters, Working
papers, etc.)

Total 185 154 273 223 178 119

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

4.3.9 Start-ups in technical textiles supported by the Academic

Institutions/University Departments
To encourage entrepreneurs and to promote innovations in technical textiles, many academic institutions are
supporting start-ups. These efforts are summarised as follows:

Table 4.9: Products of the start-ups reported by respondent institutions (segment-wise)

Segment(s) Products of the start-ups

Clothtech Woven fabric, Knitted garments
Hometech Household textiles
lndutech Industrial export fabric manufacturing, Warp preparation unit for specialised fabrics, Patterning & Garment
Stitching, Manufacturing of Utilities for Textiles
Meditech Medical Textiles, Compression Measurement Device for Bandages
Oekotech Technical Sorbent Sheet, Eco-friendly bags
Packtech Water resistant Biodegradable cotton/jute bag for shopping and other purposes
Protech Textile mobile application, Intelligent parking solution
Clothtech, Printing of fashionable fabric required for apparels, Garment washing with value added finishes, Body Shape
Hometech Garments, Waste Recycling Unit, Manufacturing of Single End Sizing, Novelty Embroidery Designs, Reed
Cleaning Equipment for Loom, Manufacturing of Compact Warp Patterning Device, Water governance
equipment, Garment finishes, Kids Wear
All Segments Modification of plain power loom in to shuttle less technology, Manufacturing of Sample Weaving Machine,
Fabric manufacturing, Manufacturing of Innovative Flexible Rapier weaving Machine " Wayan", Manufacturing
of Warp Connect Technology Warp preparation and welding device, Modification of plain power loom in to
shuttle-less technology, Geographical patent provider, Control systems

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Smart textiles Posture monitoring device

Antibacterial Facemask and antibacterial water container
textiles
Oekotech, Bag based on Jute Fabric aluminum foil laminate for distribution of Prasadam at Devasthanam of Tirupati,
Packtech Tirumala Trust

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

Note: The information presented above is based on data provided by Kumaraguru College of Technology Coimbatore, Jawahar Lal Nehru Government
Engineering College, Sundernagar, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, DKTE Textile & Engineering Institute, Kolhapur, IIT Delhi, University of
Calcutta, Department of Jute and Fibre Technology, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore

Figure 4.5: Segment-wise bifurcation of technical textiles-related start-ups

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

Key Findings:

 There are 7 institutions which provided details of the start-ups being supported by them.

 The total number of start-ups reported is 41 out of which 11 start-ups are from Clothtech and
Hometech as a combination.

 There was one start-up each in the domain of smart textiles and antibacterial textiles.

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4.3.10 Skill gaps in technical textiles education in India

The primary survey also tried to capture skill gaps prevalent in the technical textiles sector. Listed below are
some skill gaps identified by the respondent institutions.

Figure 4.6: Major skill gaps in textile education and ways to address them as reported by respondents

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

Key Findings:

Related to industry interaction:

 There is very limited collaborative industry-academia interaction as evidenced by small number of

industry-oriented projects, few opportunities for students and faculty for practical exposure to industry
and lack of significant financial support by industry to academia for R&D

 Lack of internationalisation

 Lack of technical textiles machine development projects

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Related to expertise in Technical textiles:

 Inability of producers to utilise the complete range of capabilities of the available technologies and
using the technologies to produce only a small range of products

 Limited expertise in production and characterisation of High Performance Fibres (HPFs) like carbon,
boron, silicon, carbide, alumina, Kevlar, PBZO and PBZT.

 Limited expertise among Indian industries for producing Bio- and Green fibre reinforced composites

 Limited expertise in producing high value and low volume products like implantable medical textiles,
extra corporeal devices, Anti-ballistic textiles and defence textiles

Related to research and manufacturing:

 When compared with those in other countries, technical textiles workforce in India has received very
little skill training for manufacturing and marketing technical textiles. Less than 5% of employees in
technical textiles industry have attended any formal training compared to similar employees in other
nations (UK: 68%, Germany: 75%, USA: 52%, Japan: 80% and South Korea: 96%)

 Lack of training and encouragement for developing prototypes

 Limited practical knowledge about technical textiles, the associated processes and reverse engineering
of products

 Lack of awareness of recent developments in technology and manufacturing equipment

 Inadequate laboratories for testing and ensuring quality control measures

Related to new talent in the industry:

 Shortage of skilled technicians and workers in technical textiles.

 Inadequate knowledge exposure about recent products and applications of technical textiles.

 Shortage of appropriately and adequately trained faculty

Methods to address the skill-gap

The following steps were suggested by the respondents to fill the skill gaps:

Related to industry interaction:

 More effective formal mechanisms to improve the opportunities and quality of interaction between
industry and academia must be established

 Frequent and more productive visits of students and faculty members to manufacturing plants/
research facilities must be ensured so as to provide them with greater exposure to the industry

 Number of funded/industry sponsored projects need to be increased.

 Technical textiles associations and other industry bodies should increase their engagement with
academic institutions

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Related to expertise in Technical textiles:

 Awareness enhancement programmes must be conducted for textile unit owners to make them
familiar with the latest technological developments in technical textiles

 Enhance efforts and budget for research in high-value and low-volume technical textiles products such
as implantable medical textiles, extra corporeal devices, antiballistic textiles and defence textile

 Setting up pilot plants to produce high performance fibres and of CoEs for characterisation of high-
performance fibers like carbon, boron, silicon, carbide, alumina, kevlar, PBZO and PBZT

Related to research and manufacturing:

 Promote industry to sponsor research in academic institutions

 Provide government support for development of prototypes

 Establish more laboratories for providing testing facilities and improving quality standards of technical
textiles products

 Promote inter-disciplinary research in academic institutions for design and development of machinery
useful for production of technical textiles products

Related to new talent in the industry:

 Offer specialisation in technical textiles at the UG/PG level with adequate number of choice of subjects
in the curriculum

 Setup more COEs and improve the research ecosystem

 Conduct more industrial training programmes for students in technical textiles companies

 Conduct training programmes incorporating industry training for faculty for updating their knowledge
and skills

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4.3.11 Technology gaps in textile education in India

Figure 4.7: Technology gaps in textile education and ways to address them as reported by respondents

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

Key Findings:

In the context of technology gaps in textile education, the following suggestions were made:

Related to high dependence on imports:

 Machinery: At present, most of the machinery that is used to manufacture technical textiles products
is not available in India and has to be imported. The technical institutions of India have been unable to
make a significant contribution towards designing and developing machinery locally. This has placed
Indian technical textiles manufacturers at a relative competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis manufacturers of
technical textiles from other countries

 Raw material: India relies heavily on imported specialty fibres, which are raw materials for technical
textiles. The technical institutions have been unable to help Indian industry in developing specialty fibres
indigenously

Related to promotion of innovation:

 Natural fibres such as bamboo, jute, sabai grass, coir and banana fibres, are commonly available in
many parts of India but these have still not been used for developing innovative products

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 There is a lack of adequate number and capacity of testing laboratories. This compromises the
capability of disseminating and ensuring globally acceptable standards for Indian products and processes

 There is lack of inter-disciplinary working for developing smart textiles for various applications

Methods to address the technological gaps:

Related to high dependence on imports:

 Machinery: TMMA and must work with GoI to formulate special schemes that can be launched to
encourage manufacturing of machinery in India to substitute imports

 Raw material: Incentivising collaboration between interested Indian manufacturer-entrepreneurs and

international manufacturers of high performance speciality fibres. This can create manufacturing
capabilities locally and reduce dependence on imported raw material for technical textiles

Related to Innovative Applications:

 Empowered groups must be constituted to catalyse the development of technology and processes for
using Natural fibres such as bamboo, jute, sabai grass, coir and banana fibres, for developing innovative
technical textiles products

 Additional investment must be encouraged in public, private or joint sector to augment the number
and capacity of testing laboratories to help in adoption of globally acceptable standards

 Groups must be facilitated by GoI so as to promote inter-disciplinary working for developing

innovative textiles for various applications such as wearable electronic textiles, textiles for energy
storage, flexible displays antenna, super-capacitors, super-absorbent, super repellents, universal antiviral
mask/ PPEs and indigenous FR textiles

4.3.12 Emerging areas in global technical textiles education

Heads of most of the respondent institutions identified Meditech as the most promising area in technical
textiles, followed by Geotech. The responses about the emerging areas in the order of priority are
presented in the table below:

Table 4.10: Ten emerging areas in global technical textiles education where Indian
Institutes / Universities must focus
S. No. Upcoming areas
1 Medical Textiles: Developments in implantable and extracorporeal devices, mask and PPE kits

2 Geo Textiles

3 Buildtech, Protech, Smart/Intelligent textiles

4 Agrotech, Sportech

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5 Developments in advanced and new fibres (spacer/3D fabrics) for applications in technical textiles

6 Mobiltech, Hometech, Packtech, Indutech, Defence Textile, Advanced Non-wovens

7 Developments in varieties of composite materials

8 Quick Curve Ruler (QCR) Textiles, SpaceTech, Clothtech, Oekotech, e-textile, Nano fibre technology,
Disposable Technical textiles, Sustainable products and processes
9 Developments in specialty finishes to be required for different end-use applications

10 Waste management, Use of Internet of Things (IoT), Filtration Technology, Performance Textiles,
Marine textiles, Coating and lamination, 3D printing, Machine and product design, Inkjet printing

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

Key Findings:

Potential areas for enhancing technical textiles education in India:

 Education about products in protective textiles segment, especially for applications needed by Indian
army and forces deployed for internal security, and law & order

 Education about innovative Smart textiles/intelligent textiles

 Multi-disciplinary education, collaborative research, research to develop flexible electronic substrates

and components that would allow to be integrated and maintain the natural flexibility of fabrics,
education and research about cost-effective manufacturing techniques and processes

 Education about performance textiles, Quick Curve Ruler (QCR) textiles, automobile textiles, marine
textiles, sports textiles, nano-fibre technology and use of Internet of Things (IoT)

Methods to promote the upcoming areas of textile education:

 Support efforts that promote better collaboration between academic institutions and TRAs, other research
associations, especially for Advanced Non-wovens

 Establish centres for electronic textiles with financial investment by GoI along with active participation of
leading industrialists and research and training institutes

 Provide adequate training to our technocrats for better understanding and appreciation of manufacturing.
This will improve our country’s capability to utilise facilities to manufacture different types of textile
material

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4.3.13 Challenges faced by the academic institutions and universities

in imparting education related to technical textiles
Academic institutions face certain challenges in imparting education related to technical textiles. These
challenges are presented in the following table:

Table 4.11: Challenges faced by Indian academic institutions in imparting technical textiles
education

S. Parameter Challenges
No.

1 Laboratory Lack of laboratory facilities for imparting appropriate education about technical textiles

Lack of modernisation of facilities (Specialty equipment & characterisation instruments,

miniature technical textiles machines)

Shortage of laboratory technicians to impart practical training related to technical textiles

2 Collaboration Inadequacy of Industry-Academia partnerships

3 Workforce Lack of expertise about latest developments in the field among faculty members

Shortage of qualified workforce (including support staff/faculty members)

4 Funds Institutes face significant financial constraints

5 Resources Lack of latest machinery and instruments

Resources (books, library journal subscriptions, software, prototypes) are limited

Absence of a robust R&D eco-system, infrastructure, and funding avenues

6 Courses Lack of courses being offered in technical textiles, significant obstacles faced while changing
the curriculum as approval process is cumbersome

7 Jobs Shortage of recruiters from the field of technical textiles

8 Awareness Lack of awareness among prospective students and their parents about technical textiles

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

The institutions have suggested the following methods to overcome the challenges in imparting education
related to technical textiles:

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Key Findings:

Related to support required from the Government:

 Establish more research and testing laboratories for technical textiles

 Support acquisition of latest machines and instruments for technical textiles

 Support increased collaboration between industries with institutes

 Establish a technical textiles committee for assessment and establishment of standards

 Support training of faculty members and technicians in latest knowledge and practices in the field of
technical textiles

 Support funding of research projects so as to improve capabilities of development of machinery and

material related to technical textiles

 AICTE and UGC need to be sensitised about the need of academic institutions to have a revised
curriculum that has courses related to latest in technical textiles

 Incentivise entrepreneurs to establish and expand production capacities of technical textiles

 Organise exhibitions, conferences and seminars with stakeholder participation from the global
technical textiles value chain

Related to institutions:

 Introducing changes in curriculum towards degree courses in technical textiles

 Sharing of faculty and laboratory technicians to temporarily mitigate shortages

 Incentivise faculty members for taking up research or international teaching assignments

 Encourage better exposure of faculty through exchange programmes with world’s leading institutes

 Enhance competencies for design and development of machinery and raw material usage

 Encourage collaboration of institutes for testing facilities, research projects, online sharing of e-
journals and books to address institute level shortages

Related to industry-academia interaction:

 Encourage collaboration between industry and academia for application-oriented projects

 Establish good laboratories in Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode

 Encourage industry to play host for visits, live projects, training and internship of the students and
faculty members

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4.3.14 New programmes and courses related to technical textiles

that academic institutions and universities must offer in the coming
future

Table 4.12: New programmes related to technical textiles that Indian Institutes /
Universities must offer in future
Programme Background Courses
B.Tech. in Textile Students will complete
15-20 credits from this basket
engineering/ textile the basic textile
technology/textile subjects till the sixth 1. High performance and functional fibres
chemistry/ man- semester. The final two 2. Advanced finishing & nanotechnology
made fibre semesters will focus on 3. Protective textiles
technology with technical textiles
4. Medical textiles
specialisation in subjects
5. Industrial textiles
technical textiles
6. Geotech and agro textiles
7. Fiber-reinforced composites
8. Functional and Smart textiles
9. Testing and characterisation of technical textiles
10. Standards and specifications of technical textiles

11. Project on technical textiles

M.Tech. in Textile Students will pursue
12-15 credits from this basket
engineering/ Fibre M.Tech. level courses
Science/ Textile of respective stream 1. High performance and functional fibres
chemical processing and they can earn 2. New materials and innovations in technical textiles
with specialisation certain number of 3. Coating and lamination
in technical textiles credits (12-15) as
4. Advanced finishing
electives to get a
5. Nanotechnology
specialisation in
technical textiles 6. Protective textiles
7. Medical textiles
8. Industrial textiles
9. Geotech and agrotextiles
10. Fiber-reinforced composites
11. Functional and Smart textiles
12. Advanced testing and characterisation of technical
textiles
13. Standards and specifications of technical textiles
14. Project on technical textiles
M.Tech. in Can be an 1. High performance and functional fibres
Technical textiles interdisciplinary 2. New materials and innovations in technical textiles
M.Tech. programme
3. Advanced nonwovens and knitting
open to students with
undergraduate degree 4. Design of technical textiles
in textile/

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polymer/mechanical/ 5. Coating and lamination

chemical/ materials 6. Advanced finishing
science
7. Nanotechnology
8. Protective textiles
9. Medical textiles
10. Industrial textiles
11. Geotech and agro textiles
12. Home and Sportech textiles
13. Fiber-reinforced composites
14. Functional and Smart textiles
15. Advanced testing and characterisation of technical
textiles
16. Standards and specifications of technical textiles
17. Project on technical textiles

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

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4.3.15 Suggestions to strengthen the educational institutes in India

to improve the performance of technical textiles sector
Figure 4.8: Mechanisms to strengthen Indian Institutes / Universities to improve education of technical textiles

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

Key Findings:

Related to programmes and curriculum:

 Encourage more and specialised courses in technical textiles at UG and PG levels

 Incorporate some technical textiles courses as core courses for all students at UG level

 Introduce diploma and other short-term courses/certifications exclusively in technical textiles

 Include some courses on technical textiles in school education curriculum

 Incorporate industry requirements in the curriculum with the help of industry experts with high
emphasis on latest, practical/ project work

 Increase opportunities for industrial internships

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 Conduct regular seminars and conferences

 Focus on different areas of technical textiles for competent and comprehensive knowledge

Related to industry support:

 Encourage industry-academia interaction through application-oriented joint projects in technical

textiles

 Support from industry for training/internship of students

 Inclusion of personnel from the industry as essential stakeholders in academic institutions right from
guest faculty level to course advisors to board members

 Sponsor Focused Incubation centres for technical textiles related fields

 Introduce industry-sponsored faculty chair positions

Related to infrastructure requirements:

 Augment funds to modernise and upgrade current laboratories and workshop facilities in institutions

 Setting up of machines with very high capital investment with complete GoI assistance

 Establish special laboratories for smart and innovative textile materials, Joint Advanced Technology
Centre (JATC) soft-body armour materials

 Establish centralised laboratory facilities that can be utilised by researchers against payment of fees

Related to research:

 Incentivise high quality application-based research and get these published in reputed research
publications

 Encourage filing of patents in high priority technical textiles areas

 Encourage collaborative research projects among CoEs, IITs, NITs, and other research organisations

 Encourage sharing of e-journals, books and research work among institutes

Related to students:

 Provide stipend for students enrolling for PG in technical textiles courses

 Promote student exchange programmes with reputed international institutions

 Encourage research scholars and scientists to take up research in technical textiles

 Promote international exposure by providing GoI assistance for participation in international events
like DOMOTEX, ITMA and exchange programmes with foreign universities

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Related to faculty:

 Recruit faculty with relevant industry experience

 Provide hands-on industry experience to interested faculty at reputed technical textiles industries

 Encourage faculty training and exchange programmes with foreign universities

 Conduct short-term Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) in technical textiles

 Encourage industry professionals to take part-time faculty assignments

 Create industry sponsored faculty chair position for Technical textiles

4.3.16 Expectations of surveyed universities from the Indian Textile

Research Associations in terms of their research activities to meet
industry needs
Figure 4.9: Expectations from TRAs by academic institutions

Source: Primary Survey conducted by IIT Delhi

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Key Findings:

Related to resources-sharing:

 Ensure sharing of testing, production, evaluation facilities at TRAs with institutes at nominal charges

 Encourage sharing of knowledge and outcomes of specific research work

 Establish an online platform that can help researchers access pan-Indian TRA resources

 Create and share a repository of high impact journals in technical textiles among all institutions

 Develop and share segment-specific case studies to teach students

Related to knowledge-dissemination:

 Incentivise and hold mandatory industrial training programmes

 Provide technical know-how of products and technology to users

 Share information on new products and their development with user industries

 Publish regular periodicals about progress and challenges faced by Indian technical textiles sector

 Create awareness about Technical textiles development and related government policies

 Provide support through regular market surveys and statistics

 Conduct workshops, conferences and trainings on various fields of technical textiles

 Encourage students by providing structured training, sponsoring projects and organising seminars,
conferences and competitions

 Organise international events and exhibitions

 Share research work in the area of technical textiles with institutes/research scholars

 Play a key role in motivating faculties and students

Related to policy and governance:

 Sign MoUs among industry-government and institutions with clear deliverables

 Create awareness about Technical textiles development and related government policies

Related to skill development:

 Permit internships in technical textiles for UG and PG students

 Encourage visits to TRAs

 Allow teaching staff/ research staff from institutions to work in production, testing, marketing in
technical textiles during academic breaks

 Co-guide interns/ PG students along with faculty supervisors

 Encourage collaborative research and projects with institutes in the area of technical textiles

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Related to industry-collaboration:

 Create and maintain strong linkages with industry for identifying research areas and solutions

 Promote industry-sponsored research

 Collaborate with industries to design and develop textile machinery to produce quality products

 Encourage industry practitioners to take up part-time/guest teaching in academic institutions

Related to promoting research:

 Establish Incubation Centres

 Encourage collaboration with foreign institutes/laboratories

4.4 Summary of Main Findings

India has a number of Academic Institutions and Universities offering undergraduate and Postgraduate
programmes related to different areas of textiles. Of the over 40 colleges that were contacted for the survey,
31 responded. While all of them offer UG programme(s) in textiles, 16 of them also offer M.Tech.
programme(s) and 9 of them offer Doctoral degrees. Their total sanctioned strength is 2750 students.

Universities and Academic institutions are important instruments for dissemination of knowledge and for
encouraging new ideas and innovation. With good exposure to Technical Textile courses during their
programmes and meaningful industry-aligned projects, students can become invaluable assets in the
development of technical textiles industry in India. It is therefore vital that their opinion and feedback is
factored in while making significant decisions, so that they are industry-ready and can play their part in the
development and growth of the technical textiles industry in India.

4.4.1 Skill Gap

 There is very limited collaborative industry-academia interaction as evidenced by small number of
industry-oriented projects, few opportunities for students and faculty for practical exposure to industry,
and lack of significant financial support by industry to academia for R&D

 Limited exposure of faculty in technical textile production technologies and specialised

characterisation techniques

 Lack of facilities for producing and testing technical textiles that are required for teaching, training
and implementing projects

 Shortage of trained technicians for training and operating technical textiles equipment

 Limited exposure of the Faculty in new emerging areas of technical textiles

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4.4.2 Methods to address the skill-gaps

 More effective formal mechanisms to improve opportunities and quality of interaction between
industry and academia must be established

 Frequent and more productive visits of students and faculty members to manufacturing plants/
research facilities must be ensured to provide them with greater exposure to the industry

 Number of funded/industry-sponsored projects need to be increased

 Encourage industry-academia interaction through application-oriented joint projects in technical

textiles

 Technical textiles associations and other industry bodies should increase their engagement with
academic institutions

 Fund infrastructure development at the academic level in states in selected technologies and set up
testing facilities

 Jointly with the industry, fund research and development projects at academic institutes

 Organise continuing education programmes for faculty, staff, and people working in the industry

4.4.3 Curriculum Related

 Encourage more and specialised courses in technical textiles at UG and PG levels

 Encourage Technical Textiles specialisation in all UG and PG textile programmes offered by various
Institutes and Universities

 Start M.Tech. programme in technical textiles at one or two selected Institutes

 Incorporate some technical textiles courses as core courses for all students at UG level

 Increase opportunities for industrial internships

 Augment funds to modernise and upgrade current laboratories and workshop facilities at institutions

 Recruit faculty with relevant industry experience

 Provide hands-on industry experience to interested faculty at reputed technical textiles industries

 Encourage faculty training and exchange programmes with foreign universities

 Conduct short-term Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) in technical textiles

 Encourage industry professionals to take part-time faculty assignments

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