President Droupadi Murmu has identified e-commerce platforms as a channel for expanding the global reach of India's handloom products, according to an ET Retail report dated August 7, 2026. Speaking at the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations, Murmu said about 35 lakh people are engaged in the handloom sector, with over 25 lakh of them women. She also expressed confidence that the sector will become a strong foundation for the country's inclusive development.
Handloom sector's workforce in numbers
The ET Retail report provides two core workforce figures from the President's address. The handloom industry engages approximately 35 lakh people, and women account for the majority of that workforce, at more than 25 lakh. Murmu described the sector as a foundation for inclusive national development, according to the same report.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total people engaged in handloom sector | About 35 lakh |
| Women engaged in handloom sector | Over 25 lakh |
| Event where statement was made | 12th National Handloom Day |
| Awards conferred | Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025 |
E-commerce as an export channel
The central policy statement in the report is the President's call to strengthen the global market reach of Indian handloom products through e-commerce platforms.
According to the President, the reach of India's handloom products to global markets can be further strengthened through e-commerce platforms.
For cross-border e-commerce sellers, marketplace operators and logistics managers, the statement places digital platforms at the official centre of the handloom export strategy. The report does not mention any new marketplace fees, customs thresholds or logistics partnerships. The only stated mechanism for expansion is the use of e-commerce platforms to reach buyers outside India.
Recognition for artisans
At the same event, Murmu conferred the prestigious Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, the report said. The award ceremony recognises contributions to the handloom sector and was staged alongside the President's remarks on digital trade, according to ET Retail.
Relevance for cross-border operators
For B2B marketplace platforms serving Indian textile exporters, the President's statement is a direct endorsement of e-commerce as a route to international buyers. With 35 lakh workers and more than 25 lakh women in the sector, the handloom producer base is substantial, and the report positions online marketplaces as the tool for connecting it to global demand.
Key facts from the ET Retail report:
- About 35 lakh people are engaged in the handloom sector.
- Over 25 lakh women are involved in the industry.
- E-commerce platforms are identified as a means to further strengthen global market reach.
- The sector is expected to become a strong foundation for inclusive development.
- The 12th National Handloom Day event was held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.
The report, published on the Economic Times Retail website, provides no additional details on specific platforms, trade agreements or compliance rules. Its significance for the cross-border e-commerce sector lies in the explicit official recognition that e-commerce platforms can expand the international footprint of India's handloom products.
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