Textile Ministry Holds 2nd Coordination Committee Meeting of Textile Research Associations

New Delhi, Aug 31 (KNN) The Ministry of Textiles held the 2nd Coordination Committee Meeting of Textile Research Associations (TRAs) in New Delhi to strengthen coordination and make textile research more industry-oriented and outcome-driven.

The meeting was chaired by Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, and attended by senior officials from the ministry, Textile Research Associations, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Department of Science & Technology, CSIR and IITs.

The committee reviewed progress since its first meeting, including the strengthening of equipment inventory and digital information through the i-TRAMS portal, formation of sub-committees, identification of Centres of Excellence and New Age Fibres, and work on emerging areas of technical textiles.

Discussions focused on global benchmarking of Centres of Excellence, adoption of a Technology Readiness Assessment Framework, startup and innovation support, a common e-library platform, external funding and implementation of projects under the National Technical Textiles Mission.

The ministry emphasised that TRA research should focus on industry requirements and measurable outcomes, including technology development, patents, prototypes, commercialisation, import substitution and solutions for MSMEs. 

Industry participation at the research conceptualisation stage was also emphasised.

The meeting also discussed the Five-Year Plans and Annual Action Plans for 2026-27, skill development, governance reforms, membership growth and KPI-based performance evaluation of TRAs.

Officials further stressed effective use of the i-TRAMS portal to monitor research activities, map capabilities and improve linkages between industry requirements and research institutions.

(KNN Bureau)