The President of India will confer the country’s highest honours in the handloom sector during the National Handloom Day celebrations on August 7, 2026, recognising the exceptional contributions of master weavers, designers, producer organisations and innovators who have strengthened India’s rich textile heritage.
A total of 22 awardees will be honoured this year, including three recipients of the prestigious Sant Kabir Handloom Award and 19 National Handloom Award winners. The awards recognise outstanding achievements in weaving, design innovation, product development, marketing, entrepreneurship and community leadership within the handloom ecosystem.
The ceremony will be attended by Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh, senior government officials, representatives of the handloom industry, exporters, designers, artisans, master weavers and other distinguished guests from across the country.
Recognising India’s Finest Handloom Talent
The Ministry of Textiles has announced the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025 to honour individuals and organisations that have made remarkable contributions to preserving, promoting and modernising India’s traditional handloom sector.
Instituted under the Handloom Marketing Assistance (HMA) component of the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), these awards represent the highest national recognition in the handloom sector. They celebrate excellence in craftsmanship while encouraging innovation, sustainable production and market competitiveness.
The awards also highlight the importance of preserving India’s diverse weaving traditions, many of which have been passed down through generations and continue to provide livelihoods to millions of artisans.
Sant Kabir Handloom Award: The Highest Honour
The Sant Kabir Handloom Award is regarded as the country’s most prestigious recognition for handloom weavers. It is presented to artisans who have demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship, lifelong dedication and sustained efforts towards preserving traditional weaving practices.
Recipients are selected based on their technical expertise, innovation, contribution to the development of the sector, mentorship of younger artisans and initiatives that benefit weaving communities.
Each award comprises a mounted gold coin, a Tamrapatra, a ceremonial shawl and a certificate, symbolising the nation’s appreciation for their lifelong service to India’s handloom heritage.
National Handloom Award Encourages Innovation
The National Handloom Award recognises excellence among handloom weavers and other stakeholders who have introduced creativity, quality improvements and innovation in their work.
The award honours achievements in product diversification, design development, adoption of modern techniques without compromising traditional craftsmanship, marketing initiatives, start-up ventures and producer companies working to strengthen the handloom value chain.
Awardees receive a Tamrapatra, a shawl and a certificate in recognition of their outstanding contribution.
By acknowledging innovative practices alongside traditional skills, the awards encourage artisans and institutions to continuously improve product quality, expand market access and enhance the competitiveness of Indian handloom products in both domestic and international markets.
Transparent Multi-Level Selection Process
The selection of awardees follows a comprehensive and transparent evaluation process designed to identify genuine excellence across different segments of the handloom sector.
For the weaving category, nominations are examined through a multi-tier system involving Zonal Selection Committees, Headquarters Selection Committees and the Central Level Selection Committee. These committees include experienced professionals, technical experts and senior government officials who assess candidates against prescribed eligibility criteria and performance parameters.
Categories related to design development, marketing, producer companies and start-up ventures are evaluated separately by the Headquarters Committee and the Central Level Committee before final approval.
This structured process ensures fairness, objectivity and recognition of deserving individuals and organisations from across the country.
Celebrating Handloom Heritage
National Handloom Day has become an important platform for recognising the contribution of India’s weaving community while promoting awareness of the country’s diverse textile traditions. The annual celebration also underscores the government’s commitment to preserving traditional skills, encouraging innovation and strengthening the economic prospects of handloom artisans.
The award ceremony is expected to bring together Members of Parliament, senior government officials, industry experts, academic institutions, exporters, designers and handloom weavers from different states. Their participation reflects the growing importance of the handloom sector as a source of cultural identity, employment and sustainable economic development.
As India continues to promote indigenous craftsmanship and expand global opportunities for handloom products, the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards remain a powerful recognition of the talent, dedication and creativity that keep the country’s centuries-old weaving traditions alive.
Also Read: Union Textiles Minister Inaugurates Centre of Excellence for Handloom Technology at IIT Delhi
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
