Launched by: Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
Implemented under: Skill India Mission
Implementing Agency: Office of the Textile Commissioner, Mumbai
Scheme Category: Skill Development and Employment Generation
Beneficiary Type: Youth, Women, Artisans, Weavers, and Entrepreneurs in the Textile Value Chain
State / UT: All India
Subsidy Type: Training, Certification, and Placement Support (Non-Monetary Direct Benefit)
Application Mode: Online and Offline
🏛️ About the Scheme
The Samarth Scheme (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector) is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Textiles, launched in 2017 as part of the Skill India Mission.
The programme aims to train, skill, reskill, and upskill individuals for wage employment and entrepreneurship in the textile sector.
The scheme focuses on segments other than Spinning and Weaving in the organized sector — covering Apparel, Knitting, Processing, Technical Textiles, Handloom, Handicrafts, Jute, and Sericulture.
It targets 10 lakh beneficiaries across India, ensuring that at least 70% of the trained candidates are placed in wage or self-employment.
Samarth ensures that India’s textile industry remains globally competitive while providing inclusive opportunities for women, SC/ST, minorities, and rural youth.
🎯 Objectives
- To provide demand-driven, placement-oriented skill development aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
- To enable youth and existing workers to acquire industry-relevant skills for sustainable employment.
- To enhance productivity and competitiveness of the textile sector.
- To empower women, SC/ST, minorities, and differently-abled persons through targeted training.
- To promote entrepreneurship and self-employment in traditional sectors such as handloom, jute, handicrafts, and sericulture.
👥 For Whom is the Scheme
- Unemployed youth aged 14 years and above.
- Workers in handloom, handicrafts, silk, jute, apparel, processing, and technical textiles.
- Women candidates and socially disadvantaged groups (SC/ST/minorities).
- Self-employed artisans seeking skill enhancement.
- Entrepreneurs and MSMEs in the textile sector who require skilled manpower.
🚫 Who Cannot Apply
- Persons below 14 years of age.
- Individuals already employed in the same trade.
- Candidates without a valid Aadhaar or proof of identity (except exempted states).
- Training providers or NGOs not registered with the Ministry of Textiles.
- Applicants seeking repeated training under the same course.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an Indian citizen with a valid Aadhaar number (or other ID if exempted).
- Age: Minimum 14 years, no upper limit for skill upgrading courses.
- Educational Qualification: As prescribed for each job role (from basic literacy to graduate).
- Should be unemployed or underemployed at the time of applying.
- Preference given to women, SC/ST, minorities, BPL, and rural youth.
- Candidates must provide willingness to work post-training for wage/self-employment.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card (mandatory) or any government ID (for exempted areas).
- Proof of Age – Birth Certificate / School Leaving Certificate / Voter ID.
- Address Proof – Ration Card / Electricity Bill / Residence Certificate.
- Bank Passbook (for stipend or placement verification).
- Caste Certificate (for SC/ST/minority candidates).
- Disability Certificate, if applicable.
- Passport-size Photographs.
- Self-Declaration Form stating unemployment or self-employment preference.
💻 How to Apply Online
- Visit the official Samarth Portal: https://samarth-textiles.gov.in
- Click on “Candidate Registration.”
- Fill in basic details – Name, Gender, Aadhaar, Mobile Number, and Email.
- Choose your preferred job role, sector, and training center.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents.
- Submit your form and note the Application/Registration ID.
- Track your application on the portal using your credentials.
- Selected candidates will be contacted by the training partner for counseling and orientation.
🏢 How to Apply Offline
- Visit the nearest Textile Department Office, Handloom/Handicrafts Service Centre, or Training Partner Institute recognized under Samarth.
- Collect the Samarth Application Form.
- Fill in personal and educational details carefully.
- Attach photocopies of required documents.
- Submit the form to the State Implementing Agency or Regional Office of the Textile Commissioner.
- Attend a short orientation and aptitude assessment before enrollment.
📊 How to Check Status
- Visit https://samarth-textiles.gov.in
- Click on “Application/Training Status.”
- Enter your Application ID or Aadhaar number.
- View your training progress, assessment results, and placement details.
- You can also check the list of active training centers and course availability on the same portal.
🗂️ Follow-up & Escalation
If your application is delayed or any issue arises during training or placement:
- Contact your training center or implementing agency directly.
- Lodge a grievance on the Samarth Portal → Grievance Section.
- Call the National Helpline for technical or enrollment issues.
- For unresolved cases, escalate to the Grievance Redressal Officer (GRO), Ministry of Textiles, New Delhi.
💎 Benefits (in Detail)
🪡 1. Free, High-Quality Skill Training
- Each course includes 300–375 hours of classroom and practical sessions.
- Courses designed with industry input to ensure employability.
- Training covers garment making, fashion design, processing, jute, silk, and technical textiles.
💼 2. Employment & Placement Guarantee
- Minimum 70% of trainees must be placed in wage or self-employment.
- Job roles certified by Sector Skill Councils under NSDC.
- Placement partners ensure minimum wages as per regional norms.
🧵 3. Certification & Recognition
- Nationally recognized NSQF certificates provided upon assessment.
- Certified candidates can access national job portals and textile industry vacancies.
👩🏭 4. Empowerment of Women & Marginalized Groups
- At least 40% of beneficiaries are women.
- Priority to SC/ST/minority candidates.
- Free hostel and food arrangements during training in certain centers.
🧰 5. Infrastructure & Learning Environment
- Smart classrooms, biometric attendance, CCTV monitoring, and modern equipment.
- Curriculum includes soft skills, computer basics, and workplace ethics.
🪢 6. Entrepreneurship Promotion
- Guidance for establishing micro enterprises in design, weaving, and embroidery.
- Assistance with marketing through India Handloom Brand and GeM portal.
🌍 7. Sustainable Development Focus
- Encourages eco-friendly, waste-minimizing textile processes.
- Promotes handloom, khadi, and jute crafts for rural livelihood sustainability.
🕵️ 8. Monitoring & Transparency
- Each trainee and training center is geo-tagged and monitored through Samarth MIS Dashboard.
- Attendance captured through biometric system; funds released only on verified training progress.
💰 Payout / Financial Assistance
| Type of Support | Details |
|---|---|
| Training Cost | Fully borne by the Ministry of Textiles. No fee charged to candidates. |
| Assessment & Certification | Conducted by an empanelled assessment body. Cost covered by the scheme (approx. ₹800 per trainee). |
| Placement Support | Implementing partners must ensure 70% placement within 3 months of course completion. |
| Post-Placement Tracking | Continuous tracking for 12 months to verify employment stability. |
| Self-Employment Support | Handholding and linkage with MUDRA loans and Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) schemes. |
| Special Support for Women | Childcare facilities, safe accommodation, and travel stipends may be provided through implementing partners. |
☎️ Contact Us
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
Implementing Agency: Office of the Textile Commissioner
Head Office: Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi – 110011
Regional HQ: NTC House, 15 N.M. Marg, Ballard Estate, Mumbai – 400001
📞 Helpline: +91-11-2301 2365 / +91-22-2850 1653
📧 Email: samarth@textiles.gov.in | textilecommr-mum@nic.in
🌐 Website: https://samarth-textiles.gov.in
Social Media:
- Twitter: @TexMinIndia
- Facebook: Handloom Textiles India
- YouTube: Samarth Skill Videos
💬 FAQs
Q1. What is the Samarth Scheme?
A government skill development initiative to train youth in textile and apparel sectors, ensuring employment or entrepreneurship.
Q2. Is the training free?
Yes, 100% of training, certification, and placement assistance is provided free of cost by the Ministry of Textiles.
Q3. Who can apply?
Any Indian citizen aged 14 years and above, especially from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds, interested in textile trades.
Q4. How can I apply?
You can apply online at samarth-textiles.gov.in – or offline through the nearest textile department or training center.
Q5. What is the placement guarantee?
At least 70% of trainees are placed in wage or self-employment after completion of training.
Q6. Do I get a certificate?
Yes, upon successful assessment, you will receive an NSQF-aligned certificate valid across India.
Q7. Is Aadhaar mandatory?
Yes, Aadhaar is compulsory for identification and monitoring, except in exempted states.
Q8. How are complaints handled?
Complaints can be submitted through the Samarth grievance section online or via the helpline numbers.
Q9. Can women apply?
Absolutely. The scheme prioritizes women applicants and provides additional support like hostel and travel facilities.
Q10. Are there any stipends?
Some centers provide stipends for travel and meals during training, depending on the course and region.