Handloom Hackathon 2.0 concluded at IIT Delhi, showcasing tech-driven innovations for loom modernisation, sustainability, market access, and weaver livelihoods across India.
Handloom Hackathon 2.0 Concludes at IIT Delhi: Technology Meets Tradition to Transform India’s Handloom Sector
The second edition of the Handloom Hackathon 2.0 – “Weaving Innovations” has successfully concluded at the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi, marking a significant milestone in the Ministry of Textiles’ push to modernise and strengthen India’s handloom ecosystem. Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles, the event attracted over 2,500 participants from across the country, with 280 finalists representing the top 100 shortlisted teams competing to develop practical, technology-led solutions for the handloom sector.
A National Platform for Innovation
The hackathon created a unique convergence of innovators, researchers, faculty members, and handloom experts, all focused on addressing critical challenges facing the sector. Teams developed solutions targeting loom modernisation, design innovation, sustainability, market access, and weaver livelihoods through technological interventions. By providing this national platform, the event encouraged young minds to craft scalable innovations that enhance productivity, preserve traditional craftsmanship, and improve the global competitiveness of Indian handloom products.
Main Highlights of the Event
Leadership and Institutional Collaboration
The concluding ceremony featured prominent leaders from government, academia, and industry. Dr. M. Beena, IAS, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, graced the event alongside Dr. Deepti Gupta, Head of the Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering at IIT Delhi; Mr. Pankaj Kapadia, Secretary of the IIT Delhi Alumni Association; and Mr. Sanjeeva Shivesh, Co-founder of ThinkStartup. Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit driving this initiative.
In her address, Dr. M. Beena emphasised the complementary relationship between India’s rich handloom heritage and modern technology. She stated, “Handloom represents our rich heritage, whereas technology represents the future. Through the Handloom Hackathon, we are combining these two realms to uplift our weaver community.” She highlighted that handloom inherently promotes sustainability and circularity, and called for innovation across loom processes, design development, and modern marketing strategies.
Dr. Beena also drew attention to key initiatives by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), including the Indian Handmade Portal, an e-commerce platform that enables weavers to showcase and sell their products directly to global buyers without third-party intermediaries. She further stressed the importance of institutional partnerships with premier institutions such as IITs and NIFTs to develop technological solutions that reduce manual effort, integrate scientific precision into traditional weaving processes, and enhance weaver livelihoods.
Announcing the Centre of Excellence for Handloom Technology
A major announcement during the event was the forthcoming Centre of Excellence for Handloom Technology (CoE-HT) at IIT Delhi. Dr. Deepti Gupta stated that the Centre would strengthen the integration of technology with handloom, enabling greater standardisation and productivity while preserving the uniqueness of handcrafted textiles. The Centre is scheduled to be inaugurated on 3 August 2026 by Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, with an investment of approximately Rs 11.99 crore (US$ 1.28 million).
Celebrating Innovation and Impact
Mr. Pankaj Kapadia highlighted technology’s role in revitalising the handloom sector and welcomed the collaboration between traditional craftsmanship and innovation. Mr. Sanjeeva Shivesh congratulated the finalist teams and encouraged them to continue developing impactful solutions, describing their selection as an important milestone toward creating meaningful social and economic change.
Winners and Winning Solutions
The hackathon recognised winners across four thematic categories:
- Weaver Livelihoods & Financial Inclusion
- Market Access & Digital Integration
- Sustainability & Environmental Impact
- Innovation in Design & Operations
Winning solutions included AI-enabled platforms for weaver livelihoods, digital market access tools, eco-friendly dyeing and monitoring systems, and technology-driven innovations for loom modernisation and design. The winning teams represented diverse institutions such as KCG College of Technology, IIHT Salem, IIT Madras, Banaras Hindu University, Sri Eshwar College of Engineering, Kumaraguru College of Technology, KLB IIHT Hyderabad, and the startup Savinya Studio.
A Step Toward a Future-Ready Handloom Ecosystem
The successful conclusion of Handloom Hackathon 2.0 reaffirms the Ministry of Textiles’ commitment to fostering innovation, collaborative research, and technology-led interventions. By encouraging young innovators to develop practical solutions, the initiative aims to improve productivity, sustainability, and market competitiveness while preserving India’s rich handloom heritage. With the imminent launch of the CoE-HT at IIT Delhi, the handloom sector stands poised to embrace a more technology-enabled, sustainable, and globally competitive future, ensuring long-term growth and prosperity for India’s weaver communities.
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