NIFT Signals Design as Economic Infrastructure

India’s fashion and design ecosystem gathered in Mumbai for the NIFT International Conference 2026 on “Design for Inclusive Futures,” marking four decades of the institute’s impact on education, industry, and craft. Union textiles minister Giriraj Singh said NIFT has become a key economic driver for textiles and craft, and its design expertise now extends into sectors from automobiles to logistics. The conference included peer-reviewed research, workshops on accessibility and sustainability, and the unveiling of a new NIFT@40 identity. Key policy shifts like reduced GST on affordable clothing and eased trade barriers were highlighted as enablers of India-specific design standards and forecasting. Design, the minister noted, is not ornamental. It creates jobs, supports supply-chain innovation, and fuels India’s transition from consumption to indigenous design capability.

It creates jobs, supports supply-chain innovation, and fuels India’s transition from consumption to indigenous design capability.