New sports and textile initiatives to create millions of jobs

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 this Sunday, unveiling a visionary roadmap to transform India into a global powerhouse for sports and textiles. In her speech, she emphasized that India has the potential to become a leading hub for high-quality yet affordable sports equipment. To achieve this, she proposed a specialized initiative focusing on advanced research, innovation in design, and material sciences.

A major highlight of the budget is the launch of the Khelo India Mission. This decade-long project aims to go beyond just nurturing athletes; it seeks to modernize the entire sports ecosystem, creating new avenues for employment and professional skilling. Sitharaman also announced a plan to revitalize 200 legacy industrial clusters. By upgrading infrastructure and technology, these clusters—including those in states like Odisha—will become more competitive on the global stage.

The textile sector also received significant attention as a key driver for labor-intensive growth. The Minister introduced the National Fibre Scheme to ensure India becomes self-reliant in both natural fibers like silk and jute and modern industrial-age materials. To support traditional workers, the National Handloom and Handicraft Programme will provide targeted assistance to weavers and artisans, ensuring they are integrated into the modern economy.

To bridge the skill gap, the government introduced Samarth 2.0. This program will collaborate with academic institutions and industries to train a tech-savvy workforce. Additionally, the proposal to set up Mega Textile Parks will allow production and value addition to happen under one roof. This strategy is expected to slash logistics costs and significantly boost India's exports in technical textiles, which are used in industries ranging from healthcare to automotive.

With Agency Inputs