The National Technical Textiles Mission Program (NTTM) has provided guidelines for updating the existing conventional degree programmes with new technical textile papers.
Two guidelines—"general guidelines for enabling of academic institutions in technical textiles—for private and public institutes" and "generic guidelines for a grant for internship support in technical textiles (GIST)"—have received approval from the government. Rachna Shah, the secretary of textiles, reported that the authorized programme committee approved the rules at a meeting.
The general guidelines for permitting academic institutions in technical textiles for private and public institutes will enable new technological textiles degrees for undergrad and postgrad programmes in addition to updating existing courses with new technical textiles-related materials. The ministry of textiles seeks to create an ecosystem for technological textiles that includes not only the textile industry but also another engineering, agricultural, medical, and fashion institutes.
The updated guidelines include funding for laboratory equipment upgrades, training for lab staff, and specialised training for academic staff at universities and other institutions. The National Institutional Rating Framework (NIRF) ranking will also cover privately funded institutions.
In two parts, the general standards for grants for internship support in technical textiles will be implemented. Including such eligible companies will take place in phase 1, and the internship programme will take place in phase 2.
During phase 2, grants of up to Rs 20.000 per student will be given to the companies that have been empaneled, with a maximum period of 2 months of funding support for the internship period. The accredited businesses and organisations can provide engineering schools with instruction in the relevant field in publicly financed institutions and private institutions with NIRF rankings up to 200.