NIFT Mumbai Inaugurates New Infrastructure Amidst Convocation, Focuses on Sustainable Textiles
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | SDG 4: Quality Education
Institutions: Ministry of Textiles | Ministry of External Affairs
Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, inaugurated new academic buildings (Academic Buildings I, II, III, and a Multi-Purpose Hall) at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Mumbai campus in Kharghar. This new, expanded complex spans 8,352.12 square meters and includes modern classrooms, cutting-edge laboratories, and a 500-seat auditorium, significantly enhancing NIFT’s capacity as a premier design institute.
The event coincided with the Convocation Ceremony 2025, where degrees were conferred upon 312 graduates from NIFT Mumbai and 29 from NIFT Daman. The Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to nurturing design leadership through initiatives like the PM MITRA Parks and the National Technical Textiles Mission.
Global shift in the fashion world from “commercial success to conscious creation,” emphasizing a renewed focus on sustainability, ethical fashion, and slow design was highlighted.
The focus on investing in advanced infrastructure at institutions like NIFT directly correlates with government policy to skill the workforce and drive innovation in high-potential sectors. By linking the textile sector’s growth to technical textiles, sustainability, and traditional heritage, the policy aims for a holistic development that is both economically competitive and environmentally responsible.
What is the National Technical Textiles Mission? The National Technical Textiles Mission is a government scheme, approved with a budget of over ₹1,480 crore, aimed at positioning India as a global leader in Technical Textiles by 2024. Technical Textiles are specialized fabrics used for non-aesthetic purposes in sectors like healthcare, defense, agriculture, and construction (e.g., surgical gowns, bulletproof vests, and geo-textiles), focusing on performance and functionality over design.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: Beyond infrastructure investment, what curricular and institutional reforms are necessary for NIFT to effectively embed ‘sustainability and slow design’ principles across the entire Indian textile value chain?
Follow the full news here: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2179558