Wage Hike and Labour Unrest Put Noida Apparel Exports Under Strain

India which is aspiring for becoming future manufacturing PowerHouse raising the contribution out of manufacturing to aspirational 25% in coming years; the recent development doesn't bode well, as Apparel exporters in Noida (U.P.) have raised concerns where Noida Apparel Export Cluster (NAEC) is a very active trade body representing the voice of garment sector mirroring that it is a very serious matter clearly reflecting that virtually trade experts are wary of garment export units' ability to absorb the recent minimum wage hikes announced by the Uttar Pradesh government close on the heels of hostile labour unrest demonstrated in the recent days, warning that shooting costs and amplified pressure from global buyers could jeopardize orders in the already uncertain times. The situation is further magnified by ongoing labour unrest, which industry experts/stakeholders say is already beginning to disrupt shipments to spoil the party.

Navigating Purposeful Consumption and Connected Commerce.

As the Indian retail sector concludes a year of structural transformation, the Retailers
Association of India (RAI) presents its year-end analysis (April 2025 – February 2026). The data reveals a resilient sector that has pivoted from "impulse-driven" growth to a model defined by "purposeful consumption" and digital democratisation.
The Year in Review: A Study in Resilience
The past 11 months was characterised by a steady acceleration in consumption momentum.
Retail growth, which began the fiscal year at 4-5 per cent, surged to 7-8 per cent by mid-year and peaked at 10-11 per cent during the festive season.

Concept to Commercialization

Date: 29th and 30th April 2026 
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Context Setting:
Today, the traditional Indian textile sector faces a combination of structural, geopolitical, and environmental challenges. While the industry is transitioning toward becoming a high-value manufacturing partner, several hurdles—particularly punitive tariffs, stricter global compliance, and energy shortages—are straining its competitiveness.

Giriraj Singh, Minister, Ministry of Textiles while addressing earlier today at NITRA Protective textile one day conference. The excerpts are as per below:
The Rise of Protective Textiles: India's Path to a $350 Billion Market by 2038

I've written extensively on Protective Textiles—and they're essential in every sector, from homes and kitchens to factories and beyond. Wherever you look, the need is clear.

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Preview in Seoul (PIS) - Korea's premier textile exhibition, August 2026, Seoul, South Korea.

27th edition of Preview in Seoul (PIS) - Korea's premier textile exhibition organised by Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI), will be held from 19th – 21st August 2026 in COEX Hall A, B1, Seoul, South Korea.  Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) is the official partner representing India. 
CREDITS: PR received from CITI India official WhatsApp chat. The content has not been edited and reviewed by us.

Krishikalpa Foundation, deeply believes that some of the most powerful ideas to transform our rural economy come from people who understand ground realities closely.

With this belief, it invites applications for “Pitch Your Idea 2026,” a platform created to discover, nurture, and support promising startup ideas, emerging and expanding in the Kalyana Karnataka region.

It warmly encourages early-stage founders and startups working on solutions that can strengthen agriculture, rural development, and sustainable livelihoods.

India’s apparel exports: Performance 

By the way India’s apparel exports rose 1.5% in dollar terms during April–December FY26, according to ICRA records, it has to be mentioned here that while growth in rupee terms was 5.8% due to unprecedented currency softness. Whilst no brainer that exports to the US declined around 6%, mainly because tariff pressures/headwinds impacting demand considerably. 
However, This shortfall was partly cushioned by stronger shipments to Europe and the UAE (on the back of existing FTA which turned out to be fundamental tailwind). 

India's Textile Lifeline Amid Iran-US Conflict
India's textile industry faces never seen before multiple global headwinds from the Iran-US war, with Hormuz Strait disruptions driving up freight costs by 30% and ballooning insurance rates. In response, the government has rolled out the RELIEF scheme—a robust ₹497 crore package under the Export Promotion Mission—to safeguard exporters. Today government  has announced extending of The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme extending  till Sep., 2026. 

AEPC Welcomes Extension of RoSCTL Scheme; Seeks Long-Term Continuity.

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), along with the entire apparel exporting community, has expressed its sincere gratitude to the Government of India for extending the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme for the apparel and made-ups sector for a further period of six months beyond March 31, 2026.

Welcoming the decision, the Chairman of AEPC, Dr. A. Sakthivel, conveyed his appreciation to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal, and the Hon’ble Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh for their continued support to the apparel industry.

RoDTEP Revival for India’s textile exports a right step in the right direction

At a time when global demand remains volatile and geopolitical uncertainties continue to disrupt supply chains, the restoration and continuity of the RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) scheme has emerged as a timely booster for India’s textile exports. By refunding embedded taxes and duties that were previously non-recoverable, RoDTEP enhances cost competitiveness for Indian exporters in highly price-sensitive international markets.

Dr. A Sakthivel, Chairman of AEPC welcomes the Government’s timely and pragmatic approval of the RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme under the Export Promotion Mission, aimed at supporting exporters impacted by the ongoing West Asia crisis.
He stated that the evolving geopolitical situation in the Gulf region, particularly disruptions around key maritime routes, has led to significant escalation in freight costs, insurance premia and operational uncertainties for exporters. In this context, the RELIEF initiative reflects the Government’s proactive and responsive approach to safeguarding India’s export sector during a period of heightened global uncertainty.