PM Mitra Scheme: A Revolutionary Textile Policy Initiative – Explained for UPSC/JKAS

Introduction:

In the race toward becoming a global manufacturing hub, India has introduced several transformative schemes—one of the most strategic among them is the PM Mitra Scheme. Launched with the vision of making India a leader in textile production, PM Mitra (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) aims to strengthen the country’s textile value chain by integrating spinning, weaving, dyeing, processing, and printing—all in one place.

For UPSC and JKAS aspirants, the scheme is a hot topic in both Prelims and Mains, especially under the domains of Government Schemes, Economy, Infrastructure, and Employment. Whether you’re preparing for GS Paper III or Economic Development, understanding the nuances of this scheme is critical.

In this blog post, we will delve into the objectives, features, significance, and challenges of the PM Mitra Scheme. We will also explore its alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), compare it with similar schemes like PLI and SAMARTH, and provide exam-relevant MCQs along with detailed explanations.

This comprehensive analysis will not only enhance your factual knowledge but also help you write better analytical answers in the Mains and solve objective questions in the Prelims.

Introduction to PM Mitra

🔹 What is PM Mitra Scheme?

The PM MITRA Scheme (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks) is a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, announced in October 2021. It is designed to create world-class industrial infrastructure for the complete textile value chain—including spinning, weaving, processing, dyeing, printing, and garment manufacturing—all within a single integrated park.

The term “PM MITRA” stands for Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel, symbolizing the government’s ambition to make India a global champion in textile exports while creating massive employment opportunities across states.

It aims to attract investments from domestic and international textile players by offering high-quality infrastructure, streamlined regulations, and logistics support—making India self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) in textiles and apparel.

🔹 Launch Date and Key Announcements

• Date of Launch: October 6, 2021
• Launched By: Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India
• Total Budget Allocation: ₹4,445 Crore over 5 years
• Key Targets:
  • Set up 7 mega textile parks across India
  • Generate 1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect jobs
  • Encourage Greenfield and Brownfield infrastructure development

PM Mitra integrates the 5F vision of the Prime Minister—Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign—to create an end-to-end ecosystem for textiles under one umbrella.

This introduction lays the groundwork for understanding the strategic intent and structure of the scheme, which we will explore further in the upcoming sections.

Background and Need for PM Mitra

🔹 Challenges in India’s Textile Industry

India has historically been a global textile powerhouse, yet in recent decades, it has lagged behind countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and China in terms of cost competitiveness, scale, and efficiency. Several critical issues prompted the government to act:

1. Fragmented Value Chain
   Different components of textile production—like spinning, weaving, and processing—are often spread across different regions. This leads to high logistics costs and delays in production.
2. Lack of Modern Infrastructure
   Many textile clusters in India still rely on outdated machinery and lack access to high-quality processing units, particularly in dyeing and finishing.
3. Limited Integration
   The absence of an integrated supply chain affects both productivity and quality, hampering India’s export potential.
4. High Power and Compliance Costs
   Textiles, being energy-intensive, suffer due to unreliable power supply and inconsistent compliance frameworks in different states.
5. Global Competition
   India’s global share in textile exports has been stagnant or declining despite being the second-largest manufacturer of textiles.

These issues make India’s textile industry less competitive, both in price and delivery timelines.

🔹 Vision Behind PM Mitra

The PM Mitra Scheme was conceptualized to consolidate the textile value chain into a single location to improve cost efficiency, reduce turnaround time, and promote eco-friendly, world-class production standards.

Key vision components:

The PM Mitra initiative is also closely aligned with Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), making it an important element of India’s economic transformation.

Objectives of PM Mitra Scheme

🔹 Boosting Employment Across the Textile Value Chain

One of the most ambitious goals of the PM Mitra Scheme is to create massive employment opportunities, both direct and indirect, by promoting investments in the textile sector.

• Direct Employment: Target of generating 1 lakh direct jobs per park through production, operations, and technical staff roles.
• Indirect Employment: Estimated 2 lakh indirect jobs per park in sectors like transportation, warehousing, packaging, and services.

This focus on job creation is crucial, especially in states with high unemployment rates and labor availability.

🔹 Enhancing Textile Exports

India’s textile exports have faced stiff competition from low-cost manufacturing hubs like Vietnam and Bangladesh. PM Mitra aims to:

• Improve cost competitiveness by reducing logistics costs.
• Enable quality production by setting up advanced processing units.
• Attract FDI and domestic investment into export-ready textile hubs.
• Help India reclaim its position as a top global textile exporter.

The scheme supports India’s goal of reaching $100 billion in textile exports in the coming years.

🔹 Promoting Self-Reliance in Textile Manufacturing

Aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, the PM Mitra parks will:

• Reduce reliance on imported raw materials and intermediaries.
• Encourage domestic manufacturing of high-value technical textiles.
• Integrate the full production chain (spinning to fashion) for value addition.

This objective will make India resilient to global supply chain shocks while creating a sustainable domestic manufacturing base.

🔹 Integrating the 5F Vision: Farm to Foreign

The scheme operationalizes the 5F formula laid out by the Prime Minister:

Farm → Fibre → Factory → Fashion → Foreign

This vision emphasizes a comprehensive pipeline from raw material sourcing (like cotton) to finished exports, thereby increasing efficiency, reducing waste, and enhancing profits across the textile ecosystem.

🔹 Supporting Sustainable and Inclusive Growth

The scheme ensures that MSMEs, women workers, and rural artisans are integrated into the new textile value chains. It also promotes:

• Environmentally friendly processing systems.
• Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs).
• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) facilities.
• Use of renewable energy sources and green building norms.

These objectives make PM Mitra a multi-dimensional reform—touching upon employment, exports, sustainability, innovation, and competitiveness.

Key Features of PM Mitra Scheme

🔹 Greenfield and Brownfield Parks

The PM Mitra Scheme will set up seven Mega Textile Parks across India through two development models:

Each selected state will host either a Greenfield or Brownfield park, based on land availability and existing industrial base.

🔹 Integration with the 5F Vision

As mentioned earlier, the PM Mitra scheme aligns with the 5F model: Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign, enabling:

• End-to-end value chain under one roof.
• Minimization of logistical inefficiencies.
• Value-added processing and export-ready goods.

This integration bridges the rural-urban economic gap and strengthens India’s position in the global supply chain.

🔹 State-of-the-Art Infrastructure

Each PM Mitra Park will be developed with plug-and-play industrial infrastructure such as:

• Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs)
• Worker housing & dormitories
• Warehousing & logistics hubs
• Power supply & water treatment facilities
• Research and development (R&D) centers
• Skill development institutions

This will ease the entry of businesses, especially MSMEs, and provide a competitive ecosystem for manufacturers.

🔹 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model

Implementation of the scheme follows a PPP model involving:

• Central Government: Provides up to ₹500 crore for Greenfield and ₹200 crore for Brownfield parks.
• State Governments: Provide land, utilities, and policy support.
• Private Developers: Invest in park infrastructure and attract industry players.

This tripartite model ensures financial viability, local support, and private sector efficiency.

🔹 Funding and Incentives

• Competitive Selection: States selected through a transparent challenge method based on objective criteria like textile ecosystem, infrastructure readiness, and policy support.
• Development Capital Support (DCS): Up to ₹500 crore for infrastructure and ₹300 crore for incentives.
• Incentives to Manufacturing Units: Financial support for setting up units within the park under a Challenge Method.

🔹 Digital Ecosystem and Ease of Doing Business

The PM Mitra scheme includes:

• Single-window clearances
• Digital monitoring platforms
• Online land allotment and incentive disbursal

All these promote transparency, efficiency, and investor confidence.

🔹 Environmental and Social Sustainability

Each park will incorporate:

• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms
• Rainwater harvesting systems
• Solar and renewable energy usage
• Worker-friendly housing and sanitation

This aligns the scheme with India’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These features make PM Mitra not just a scheme but a strategic industrial transformation blueprint for India’s textile sector.

Locations of PM Mitra Parks

🔹 States Selected for PM Mitra Parks (2023 Announcement)

In March 2023, the Ministry of Textiles announced the final list of 7 states that were chosen to host the PM MITRA Mega Textile Parks. These states were selected based on a transparent Challenge Method, evaluating their readiness, availability of land, textile ecosystem, and connectivity.

These parks aim to be spokes of innovation, employment, and export in India’s textile industry.

🔹 Strategic Importance of the Locations

Each selected site offers strategic advantages that align with the objectives of the scheme:

• Tamil Nadu (Virudhunagar): Known for a strong textile base, particularly spinning and weaving industries.
• Telangana (Warangal): Emerging as a cotton-growing and processing hub; good rail-road connectivity.
• Gujarat (Navsari): Established industrial ecosystem; proximity to ports like Hazira and Pipavav.
• Karnataka (Kalaburagi): Access to skilled labor and upcoming rail infrastructure.
• Maharashtra (Amravati): A cotton belt with agro-based industry potential.
• Madhya Pradesh (Dhar): Centrally located, providing pan-India access.
• Uttar Pradesh (Hardoi): Close to textile clusters in Kanpur and Lucknow; a push for industrial growth in Northern India.

🔹 Benefits of Regional Distribution

• Promotes balanced regional development by including states from South, West, North, and Central India.
• Reduces pressure on existing industrial hubs.
• Opens up employment opportunities in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
• Enhances regional textile specialization—for example, handloom in UP, cotton in Maharashtra, technical textiles in Gujarat.

These PM Mitra locations not only support economic decentralization but also boost competitiveness by bringing global-quality infrastructure to underutilized regions.

Benefits of PM Mitra Scheme

🔹 Accelerated Industrial Growth in Textiles

PM Mitra parks are set to revolutionize the Indian textile industry by providing world-class infrastructure, bringing all stages of textile production together in one integrated ecosystem. This approach:

• Reduces production cost through economies of scale.
• Boosts output efficiency by cutting logistics time and expenses.
• Encourages the cluster development model, increasing productivity and collaboration.

By focusing on end-to-end value chains, the scheme facilitates both vertical and horizontal integration, essential for scaling globally.

🔹 Empowerment of MSMEs and Startups

A significant portion of India’s textile sector is run by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). PM Mitra offers:

• Plug-and-play infrastructure, lowering entry barriers.
• Access to testing labs, R&D facilities, and common service centers.
• Incentives for units to set up operations within the parks.

This creates a level playing field for MSMEs and textile startups to compete with larger firms, especially in areas like technical textiles, sustainable fashion, and e-commerce apparel.

🔹 Massive Job Creation Potential

Job creation is a cornerstone of the PM Mitra scheme:

• Each park aims to generate up to 1 lakh direct jobs and 2 lakh indirect jobs.
• Employment opportunities span across blue-collar, semi-skilled, and skilled segments—including dyeing technicians, machine operators, designers, logistics, and marketing professionals.
• It also encourages women’s participation in textile-related vocations.

This directly supports inclusive development, especially in rural and semi-urban regions.

🔹 Boost to Exports and Forex Reserves

By streamlining the value chain and offering global-standard infrastructure, India aims to become export competitive, particularly in:

• Apparel and ready-made garments
• Technical textiles
• Organic and sustainable fabrics

PM Mitra will help achieve the ambitious target of $100 billion in textile exports by leveraging India’s raw material advantage and skilled labor.

🔹 Technology Adoption and Skill Development

• Each PM Mitra Park will include skill training centers, set up in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development.
• The scheme promotes digitization, automation, and green technologies in textile manufacturing.
• R&D and innovation hubs will help push India’s textile sector into smart manufacturing and global trend alignment.

🔹 Environmental and Social Responsibility

• Parks will follow Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms and house Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to minimize pollution.
• Solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and green building norms will make the parks energy efficient and sustainable.
• Worker housing, crèches, and sanitation facilities will ensure social security and welfare of laborers.

In conclusion, the PM Mitra scheme provides a holistic transformation—not just in the way textiles are produced, but also in how industry, environment, and society can coexist.

Implementation Framework of PM Mitra Scheme

🔹 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model

The PM Mitra parks will be developed under a strategic Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This ensures that the parks are:

• Efficiently built with private sector participation.
• Responsibly governed by public institutions.
• Financially viable through shared investments and revenue models.

This hybrid approach leverages government support with private sector efficiency and innovation.

🔹 Role of Central Government

The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, acts as the nodal agency and provides:

• Financial assistance: Up to ₹500 crore per park for infrastructure development.
• Incentive support: ₹300 crore for manufacturing units.
• Policy direction: Guidelines, eligibility criteria, and performance monitoring.

Additionally, the Centre ensures regulatory clarity, facilitates international investments, and supports technology upgrades.

🔹 Role of State Governments

Each host state is responsible for:

• Providing land parcels (minimum 1,000 acres) with clear titles.
• Ensuring trunk infrastructure like electricity, water supply, road and rail connectivity.
• Facilitating single-window approvals for industries.
• Aligning state-level schemes with PM Mitra objectives.

States also offer additional incentives to attract private investors and streamline environmental clearances.

🔹 Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)

A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be created for each PM Mitra park. The SPV includes representatives from:

• Central Government
• State Government
• Master Developer (private player)

The SPV handles:

• Day-to-day project execution
• Contracting and leasing
• Park operations and maintenance
• Monitoring sustainability and compliance norms

The SPV model ensures transparency, accountability, and stakeholder coordination.

🔹 Master Developer

The Master Developer is a private entity selected through a competitive bidding process. They are responsible for:

• Constructing infrastructure
• Marketing the park to potential investors
• Leasing plots to manufacturing units
• Maintaining service standards and utility operations

This player is incentivized through revenue share, long-term lease rights, or performance-linked support.

🔹 Monitoring and Evaluation

A robust Monitoring Framework is in place:

• Periodic review by the Ministry of Textiles
• Performance benchmarking on employment, exports, and sustainability
• Use of digital dashboards for real-time monitoring

This ensures that each park remains goal-oriented and investor-friendly.

This multi-stakeholder, professionally managed implementation framework makes PM Mitra a unique governance model, ensuring faster execution and long-term sustainability.

Comparison with Other Schemes: PM Mitra vs PLI vs SAMARTH

🔹 PM Mitra vs PLI (Production Linked Incentive) Scheme

🧠 Analysis: While PM Mitra builds the foundation, the PLI Scheme acts as a growth catalyst by rewarding performance and scale.

🔹 PM Mitra vs SAMARTH (Skill Development Scheme)

🧠 Analysis: PM Mitra is infrastructure-oriented, whereas SAMARTH is human capital-oriented. Both schemes together form a complementary model of industry-ready workforce + industrial space.

Conclusion of Comparison

• PM Mitra lays the groundwork for large-scale production.
• PLI incentivizes the scaling of production in key sub-sectors.
• SAMARTH ensures that a skilled workforce is available to operate in these parks.

Together, these schemes aim to transform India into a global textile powerhouse, making the sector competitive, inclusive, and future-ready.

Challenges in Implementation of PM Mitra Scheme

🔹 Land Acquisition and Clearances

One of the foremost hurdles is land acquisition:

• Each park requires a minimum of 1,000 acres of contiguous land—often difficult to procure due to:
  • Land title disputes
  • Resistance from local communities
  • Environmental restrictions
• Delays in environmental clearances and regulatory approvals can affect project timelines.

🧠 UPSC Angle: Link to issues under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and the Balance between Development and Rights.

🔹 Infrastructure Bottlenecks

Although PM Mitra focuses on high-end infrastructure, actual execution faces obstacles like:

• Lack of power reliability in remote areas.
• Inadequate water supply for water-intensive processes like dyeing.
• Poor last-mile connectivity to ports and highways.
• Delays in utility provisioning, which affects investor confidence.

These gaps inflate costs and discourage investors, especially MSMEs.

🔹 Coordination Among Stakeholders

The scheme requires multi-level coordination between:

• Central ministries (Textiles, Commerce, Environment, Finance)
• State governments
• Private developers
• Local authorities

Issues like bureaucratic delays, overlapping jurisdiction, and policy inconsistencies can derail progress unless robust coordination mechanisms are institutionalized.

🧠 Mains Tip: Mention the need for an Integrated Project Management Unit (PMU) for better inter-agency coordination.

🔹 Funding and Financial Viability

Despite Central support:

• Many state governments may struggle to allocate their share of infrastructure funding.
• Private developers may hesitate to invest if they doubt the park’s long-term viability or demand-side pull.
• Return on investment (ROI) could be uncertain in less industrialized states.

This creates a risk-averse climate, especially for Greenfield parks in non-traditional textile regions.

🔹 Environmental and Sustainability Concerns

Textile processing is resource-intensive, raising concerns about:

• Water pollution from dyeing and chemical treatments.
• High energy consumption and carbon footprint.
• Non-compliance with ZLD norms due to cost-cutting by units.

Without strict monitoring and penalties, the ecological integrity of the parks may be compromised.

🧠 UPSC Link: Connect to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Circular Economy principles.

🔹 Skilling and Human Resource Gaps

• There’s a mismatch between available labor and skill needs for modern textile units.
• SAMARTH and Skill India schemes exist but need better alignment with PM Mitra’s industry requirements.
• States with high youth populations but poor industrial exposure may face execution delays due to skill deficits.

In summary, while PM Mitra is a well-intentioned scheme, it requires agile governance, cross-sector synergy, and sustainable execution frameworks to overcome these multi-dimensional challenges.

Current Status and Updates (Budget 2024‑25 & Recent Developments)

• The PM Mitra Scheme has been approved with an outlay of ₹4,445 crore for 2021–22 to 2027–28, targeting the establishment of seven mega textile parks across India.
• Environmental clearance has been obtained for parks in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Telangana. Infrastructure development such as roads, water pipelines, and power connections is already underway at these locations.
• In Maharashtra (Amravati), infrastructure tenders worth ₹111 crore have been finalized, and the foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister in September 2024.
• In Madhya Pradesh (Dhar), formal approval was granted in April 2025 for a 2,100-acre park with an investment of ₹2,100 crore. The park will include plug-and-play units, a 20 MLD ZLD system, solar infrastructure, and housing. Completion is expected within 14 months.
• Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar park has secured a ₹1,894 crore project plan aimed at generating 1 lakh jobs and ₹10,000 crore in investments. Completion is targeted by September 2026.
• Across all seven parks, investment MoUs worth approximately ₹18,500 crore have already been signed with various domestic and international companies.
• In Uttar Pradesh, two MoUs valued at ₹700 crore were signed during the PM Mitra Investor Meet in Lucknow-Hardoi. The park is expected to create 50,000 jobs and support the state’s broader textile and leather cluster strategy.
• According to recent government estimates, each park could generate up to 3 lakh jobs (direct + indirect), which is higher than the earlier estimate of 1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect jobs per park.
• India’s textile and apparel exports rose by 5% in FY 2024‑25, reaching USD 37.75 billion, indicating a positive growth trajectory.

Impact of PM Mitra on the Indian Economy

🔹 Strengthening the Textile Value Chain

The PM Mitra parks are designed to bring all components of textile manufacturing under one roof—from spinning to dyeing to garment stitching and packaging. This:

• Reduces intermediary costs
• Cuts logistics timelines
• Enhances production speed and efficiency

As a result, Indian textiles become more globally competitive, directly improving the nation’s export potential.

🔹 Contribution to GDP Growth

The textile and apparel sector already contributes around 2.3% to India’s GDP and 12% to export earnings. With the establishment of 7 mega parks:

• Textile sector output is projected to increase significantly over the next 5–10 years.
• The resulting growth could add an additional 0.5% to 1% to GDP, especially through multiplier effects in logistics, packaging, and warehousing.

This supports the government’s broader economic revival goals post-COVID.

🔹 Boost to Employment and Income Generation

Job creation is a direct economic benefit:

• Each park is expected to create 1 lakh direct and 2–3 lakh indirect jobs, offering livelihood to nearly 20 lakh individuals across the country.
• This helps reduce structural unemployment, particularly in states with underutilized labor forces like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.
• The scheme encourages female participation, improving gender equity in workforce metrics.

More jobs mean higher household income, stronger consumption patterns, and a vibrant rural economy.

🔹 Industrial Diversification and Regional Development

Most PM Mitra parks are being developed in non-traditional textile zones or Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, helping:

• Decongest overburdened metros
• Drive balanced regional development
• Empower local MSMEs and artisan communities

States like UP, MP, and Maharashtra can now emerge as new textile powerhouses, reducing overdependence on southern states.

🔹 FDI and Private Investment Flow

The plug-and-play infrastructure and policy incentives attract:

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in high-end textile segments like technical textiles and sustainable fashion
• Private sector involvement in park development and value chain innovation
• Increased investor confidence through transparent regulations and SPV-based governance

Higher investment inflows drive capital formation, technology transfer, and export surplus, which support India’s current account balance.

🔹 Support to Export-Led Growth

With dedicated logistics, quality testing facilities, and eco-certifications, these parks are built to serve international markets. The impact includes:

• Higher textile exports, contributing to India’s goal of $100 billion textile exports
• Strengthening of India’s position in global textile value chains
• Better realization of trade deals under FTA frameworks (like with the EU or UAE)

🔹 Sustainability and Green Growth

By integrating Zero Liquid Discharge norms, solar energy, and eco-friendly processing, PM Mitra supports:

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
• SDG 13 (Climate Action)

This makes India’s textile economy more resilient, ethical, and globally acceptable.

In essence, PM Mitra is not just an industrial policy—it’s a growth enabler, an employment generator, and a strategic pillar of India’s vision to become a manufacturing and export superpower.

Relevance of PM Mitra Scheme for UPSC/JKAS Exams

🔹 Static and Dynamic Aspects

The PM Mitra Scheme is a perfect blend of static and dynamic content—a favorite format for competitive exam setters.

💡 Tip: Integrate both dimensions in GS answers for maximum marks.

🔹 PM Mitra in Prelims

Prelims 2023 and 2024 saw multiple questions from new schemes, including sector-specific reforms. For Prelims, focus on:

• Launch year and nodal ministry
• Budget allocation and total outlay
• Type of parks (Greenfield/Brownfield)
• Number of parks and their exact locations
• 5F vision: Farm → Fibre → Factory → Fashion → Foreign
• Type of support (Capital + Incentives)
• Difference from other schemes (PLI, SAMARTH)

📌 Example Prelims Question:

“With reference to the PM Mitra Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It aims to develop textile parks through FDI-only investment.
2. The scheme supports both Greenfield and Brownfield textile parks.
   Which of the statements is/are correct?
   (a) 1 only
   (b) 2 only
   (c) Both 1 and 2
   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

✅ Correct Answer: (b) 2 only*

🔹 PM Mitra in Mains (GS Paper II & III)

The scheme is relevant in various syllabus subtopics:

• GS Paper II (Governance):
  • Government schemes for vulnerable sections (employment, women in workforce)
  • Role of Centre-State collaboration
  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPP model)
• GS Paper III (Economic Development, Infrastructure):
  • Industrial policy
  • Inclusive growth
  • Employment and export strategy
  • Environmental and sustainable infrastructure

📌 *Use PM Mitra as a case study in answers on:

• Manufacturing and Make in India
• Rural employment and decentralization
• Economic reforms post-COVID*

🔹 Role in Essay and Ethics Paper

• Essay Topics:
  • “India’s Textile Renaissance – Inclusive, Innovative, and Global”
  • “Self-reliant India: Role of Sectoral Mega Schemes”
• Ethics Paper (Case Studies):
  • Use PM Mitra to show equity, sustainability, and collaborative governance.

🔹 Interview Relevance

Questions like:

• “How does PM Mitra address rural unemployment?”
• “Can India compete with China and Bangladesh in textiles?”
• “Is the scheme environment-friendly?”
• “What are the governance challenges in large-scale infrastructure schemes?”

💡 Pro Tip: Prepare a 60-second crisp summary of PM Mitra and its interlinkages with jobs, exports, and sustainability.

This scheme is a goldmine for UPSC/JKAS aspirants, providing content for Prelims facts, Mains analysis, Essay depth, and Interview perspective.

Expected Questions in UPSC/JKAS Exams

🔹 📘 Prelims-Based Objective Questions

These are generally fact-based or scheme-comparison questions. Here are some model questions:

1. Which of the following correctly describes the PM MITRA Scheme?
   a) A central scheme for micro irrigation
   b) A skill training scheme for the textile sector
   c) A scheme to establish integrated textile parks
   d) A rural housing project for tribal areas
   ✅ Correct Answer: c)
2. PM Mitra Scheme is implemented by which Ministry?
   a) Ministry of MSME
   b) Ministry of Skill Development
   c) Ministry of Rural Development
   d) Ministry of Textiles
   ✅ Correct Answer: d)
3. Which of the following states does NOT host a PM Mitra Park?
   a) Tamil Nadu
   b) Gujarat
   c) Kerala
   d) Uttar Pradesh
   ✅ Correct Answer: c)
4. Which of the following best describes the 5F Vision in the context of PM Mitra?
   a) Five-Year Fiscal Framework
   b) Five Financial Functions of the Textile Board
   c) Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign
   d) Fabric Funding Federation Formula
   ✅ Correct Answer: c)

🔹 📖 Mains-Based Descriptive Questions

These require a structured, analytical response. Here are a few likely questions:

1. “Discuss the role of the PM MITRA Scheme in revitalizing India’s textile sector. Highlight its employment and export potential.”
2. “How does the PM Mitra Scheme align with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives?”
3. “Critically examine the implementation challenges of the PM Mitra Scheme. Suggest policy reforms to address them.”
4. “Do mega industrial parks like PM Mitra balance growth with sustainability? Evaluate with examples.”

PM Mitra and Sustainable Development

🔹 Promoting Eco-Friendly Infrastructure

The PM Mitra parks are designed to meet the highest environmental compliance standards, ensuring that textile production does not come at the cost of ecological balance. Key green features include:

• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD): Each park is mandated to install Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) with ZLD systems to recycle and reuse wastewater, especially from dyeing and processing units.
• Green Building Norms: Infrastructure must follow energy-efficient designs that reduce carbon footprints, including use of:
  • Solar panels
  • Natural lighting
  • Rainwater harvesting systems
• Use of Renewable Energy: Preference is given to solar and wind power installations to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

These initiatives significantly reduce pollution, energy consumption, and water usage, directly contributing to climate resilience.

🔹 Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The PM Mitra Scheme is in line with multiple SDGs, reinforcing India’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable industrialization:

🔹 Enabling Circular Economy in Textiles

Textile waste and pollution are significant environmental threats. PM Mitra encourages a circular economy model, where:

• Wastewater is recycled
• Textile waste is repurposed or upcycled
• Eco-certifications (like GOTS, OEKO-TEX) are promoted among units to meet global sustainability standards

This prepares Indian manufacturers for eco-conscious international buyers, especially in the EU and North America.

🔹 Social Sustainability: Worker Welfare & Inclusivity

• Worker Housing and Dormitories: Planned in all parks to provide safe, affordable accommodation close to workplaces.
• Crèche Facilities & Sanitation: Especially beneficial for women workers, encouraging their active participation.
• Skill Development Units: Partnered with SAMARTH and Skill India to train workers on eco-friendly manufacturing, quality control, and compliance.

This improves working conditions, ensures gender inclusion, and boosts rural-to-urban employment mobility.

🔹 Long-Term Vision: Sustainable Export Competitiveness

Sustainability is not just ethical—it’s a business necessity. Global textile buyers are increasingly demanding:

• Environmentally responsible sourcing
• Fair labor practices
• Certifications for ethical manufacturing

By embedding sustainability in its foundation, PM Mitra makes India’s textile exports future-ready, helping gain long-term access to premium markets.

In conclusion, PM Mitra is not just an industrial scheme—it is a green industrial revolution that balances growth, ecology, and equity.

Government Bodies Involved in PM Mitra Scheme

🔹 Ministry of Textiles (Nodal Ministry)

The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, is the primary authority responsible for the overall planning, funding, coordination, and monitoring of the PM Mitra Scheme. Its core responsibilities include:

• Formulating scheme guidelines and implementation framework.
• Disbursing financial assistance and incentives to states and units.
• Monitoring progress through dashboards and periodic reports.
• Coordinating with other ministries for approvals and clearances.

This ministry is also responsible for aligning PM Mitra with other textile-focused schemes like PLI and SAMARTH.

🔹 State Governments and Their Industrial Departments

Each host state plays a pivotal role in the scheme’s execution, especially in:

• Land allocation (minimum 1,000 acres per park).
• Providing basic utilities: roads, electricity, water, and sanitation.
• Facilitating single-window clearances for setting up units.
• Offering state-specific incentives or policy support.

State governments also appoint a dedicated project agency or SPV to work alongside the central government and developers.

🔹 Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)

A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is established for each PM Mitra Park as a joint venture between:

• The Central Government
• The respective State Government
• A Private Master Developer

Role of SPV:

• Handle day-to-day project implementation.
• Oversee construction of infrastructure and service delivery.
• Lease land and facilities to units.
• Ensure compliance with environmental and labor regulations.

The SPV acts as the operational and financial backbone of each park.

🔹 Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)

The MoEFCC ensures that the PM Mitra Parks comply with:

• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms
• Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) approvals
• Sustainable infrastructure standards

The ministry is crucial for approving land use and ensuring green clearances.

🔹 Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

This ministry works in partnership with:

• SAMARTH Scheme
• Skill India Mission
• Textile Sector Skill Councils

Their role is to:

• Train local youth and women workers.
• Provide certification in textile-specific job roles.
• Create a skilled labor force aligned with park needs.

🔹 Other Supporting Bodies

• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT): Supports investment promotion and industrial logistics.
• Ministry of Commerce & Industry: Aligns textile exports with global markets.
• Invest India: Acts as a facilitation agency for attracting FDI into PM Mitra parks.

🔹 Inter-Governmental Coordination

A High-Level Steering Committee at the central level ensures seamless coordination between:

• Central Ministries
• State Governments
• Private Developers
• Skill Agencies
• Environmental Authorities

This integrated approach helps prevent bureaucratic delays and ensures faster execution.

In essence, PM Mitra showcases a well-orchestrated multi-agency implementation model, ensuring that industrial policy meets ground-level realities through collaboration, not isolation.

Criticism and Way Forward for PM Mitra Scheme

🔹 Common Criticisms of PM Mitra Scheme

While the PM Mitra initiative is ambitious and visionary, it has not been without its share of critiques:

1. Implementation Delays

• Despite announcements in 2021, actual construction and operationalization of most parks only started by late 2024.
• Delays in land acquisition, environmental clearances, and inter-agency coordination have slowed progress.
• In some states, bureaucratic red tape and lack of investor interest have impacted momentum.

2. Risk of Overconcentration

• Critics argue that the parks could lead to an over-centralization of textile activity, drawing labor and resources away from traditional clusters like Surat, Tiruppur, and Ludhiana.
• This may undermine decentralized, artisan-based ecosystems, particularly in handloom and handicrafts.

3. Environmental Concerns

• Even though ZLD norms are proposed, enforcing them uniformly across all parks remains a major challenge.
• Critics fear that cost-cutting by private developers or units could lead to pollution, especially from dyeing units if not properly monitored.

4. Dependence on Private Sector

• Heavy reliance on private developers for infrastructure and operations can be risky.
• If returns on investment are lower than expected, private partners may withdraw or under-deliver, affecting park sustainability.

5. Exclusion of Artisanal and Informal Workers

• The scheme’s focus on large-scale industrial production may unintentionally sideline traditional textile sectors, such as handlooms and khadi.
• There is limited integration with cooperatives and SHGs, which employ a large portion of rural women and artisans.

🔹 Way Forward: Policy Recommendations

To ensure long-term success and inclusiveness, the following steps are recommended:

✅ 1. Accelerate Execution Timelines

• Create a centralized project monitoring dashboard for real-time tracking.
• Empower SPVs with greater autonomy to make time-sensitive decisions.
• Set time-bound milestones linked with incentive releases.

✅ 2. Promote Balanced Growth

• Integrate PM Mitra parks with existing textile clusters to preserve heritage while upgrading production.
• Offer capacity-building grants for small weavers and artisans to participate in park-based economies.

✅ 3. Strengthen Environmental Enforcement

• Ensure third-party monitoring of pollution levels and effluent discharge.
• Encourage green certifications for units (like OEKO-TEX, GOTS) to improve accountability and export readiness.

✅ 4. Foster Skill and Innovation Integration

• Establish Innovation Hubs within parks for sustainable fabric R&D and digitization of textile processes.
• Expand training programs under SAMARTH and link them to placement targets within PM Mitra parks.

✅ 5. Inclusive Design and Worker Welfare

• Ensure gender-inclusive infrastructure like crèches, sanitation, and transport.
• Include artisan and cooperative models within the park framework to bridge formal and informal sectors.

In summary, PM Mitra is a strategic leap for India’s textile economy, but its inclusive success depends on how effectively the scheme is executed, monitored, and evolved. With mid-course corrections and community participation, it can truly become a global benchmark for sustainable industrialization.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on PM Mitra Scheme for UPSC/JKAS

Q1. Which of the following statements about the PM Mitra Scheme is/are correct?

1. It aims to set up 10 Mega Textile Parks across India.
2. The scheme supports both Greenfield and Brownfield textile parks.
3. The nodal ministry for this scheme is the Ministry of Skill Development.

Options:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All of the above

✅ Correct Answer: b) 2 only
Explanation: PM Mitra aims to establish 7 parks, not 10. The nodal ministry is the Ministry of Textiles, not Skill Development. It does support both Greenfield and Brownfield parks.

Q2. The “5F Vision” in the PM Mitra Scheme stands for which of the following?

a) Fibre, Fabric, Fashion, Fund, Foreign
b) Farm, Fibre, Factory, Fashion, Foreign
c) Farming, Fibre, Factory, Fabrication, Foreign
d) Farm, Fabric, Factory, Fashion, Fund

✅ Correct Answer: b) Farm, Fibre, Factory, Fashion, Foreign
Explanation: The PM Mitra Scheme is based on the Prime Minister’s 5F vision to integrate the entire textile value chain from raw material to exports.

Q3. Which of the following states is not among the seven chosen for the PM Mitra Parks?

a) Maharashtra
b) Kerala
c) Gujarat
d) Tamil Nadu

✅ Correct Answer: b) Kerala
Explanation: The selected states are: Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

Q4. Which of the following components are included in a typical PM Mitra Park?

1. Effluent Treatment Plants
2. Skill Development Centers
3. Worker Dormitories
4. Export Credit Subsidy

Options:
a) 1, 2, and 3 only
b) 1 and 4 only
c) 2 and 4 only
d) All of the above

✅ Correct Answer: a) 1, 2, and 3 only
Explanation: PM Mitra includes ETPs, skill training hubs, and housing facilities. Export credit subsidy is not a component of PM Mitra.

Q5. PM Mitra is primarily implemented through which model of public investment?

a) Entirely public-funded model
b) CSR model
c) Private Sector Only
d) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model

✅ Correct Answer: d) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model
Explanation: The PM Mitra parks are developed using a PPP model involving Centre, State, and a Private Master Developer through an SPV.

Q6. Consider the following pairs regarding PM Mitra locations and states:

Which of the pairs are correctly matched?

a) 2, 3, and 4 only
b) 1, 2, and 3 only
c) 2 and 4 only
d) All four

✅ Correct Answer: a) 2, 3, and 4 only
Explanation: Warangal is in Telangana, not Andhra Pradesh. The rest are correctly matched.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on PM Mitra Scheme

Q1. What is the PM Mitra Scheme, and when was it launched?

Answer:
The PM Mitra Scheme (Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) was launched in October 2021 by the Ministry of Textiles. It aims to develop 7 world-class textile parks with integrated infrastructure under the PPP model, creating large-scale employment and boosting exports.

Q2. What is the full form of “PM MITRA”?

Answer:
PM MITRA stands for Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel. It embodies the vision to consolidate all segments of the textile value chain in a single location—from spinning and weaving to garmenting and exports.

Q3. How is the PM Mitra Scheme relevant for UPSC/JKAS exams?

Answer:
The scheme is crucial for:

• Prelims: Static facts (launch year, ministries, features, 5F vision).
• Mains: GS Paper II (Governance), GS Paper III (Industry, Employment, Environment).
• Essay & Ethics: Use as a case study for sustainable industrialization, rural development, and PPP models.

Q4. How many parks are being developed under PM Mitra, and which states host them?

Answer:
7 textile parks are being developed under PM Mitra in the following states:

1. Tamil Nadu (Virudhunagar)
2. Telangana (Warangal)
3. Gujarat (Navsari)
4. Karnataka (Kalaburagi)
5. Maharashtra (Amravati)
6. Madhya Pradesh (Dhar)
7. Uttar Pradesh (Hardoi)

Q5. What kind of employment is expected under this scheme?

Answer:
Each park is projected to create:

• 1 lakh direct jobs
• 2–3 lakh indirect jobs
  Jobs will span spinning, weaving, processing, design, logistics, warehousing, and marketing, with special emphasis on women’s employment and rural inclusion.

Q6. Is the PM Mitra Scheme aligned with environmental and sustainability goals?

Answer:
Yes. The parks are designed with:

• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) standards
• Green building norms
• Renewable energy infrastructure
  This supports SDGs like clean industry (SDG 9), responsible production (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13).

Conclusion

The PM Mitra Scheme stands as a landmark initiative in India’s journey toward becoming a global textile powerhouse. By integrating all stages of textile production into mega parks with modern infrastructure, the scheme promises not just economic upliftment but also environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

With its alignment to the 5F vision—Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign—PM Mitra exemplifies India’s commitment to holistic, export-oriented industrial growth. The parks are expected to catalyze employment generation, attract significant FDI, and enhance export competitiveness, while maintaining compliance with green norms and worker welfare standards.

For UPSC and JKAS aspirants, PM Mitra is more than just a scheme—it’s a case study in collaborative governance, a model for sustainable industrialization, and a testament to inclusive policy design. Whether it’s for Prelims fact-checking, Mains answer enrichment, or Interview discussion, mastering PM Mitra will give candidates a strong edge.

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Sudhanshu Trilokia

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