Khadi, village industries sector crosses Rs 1.87 lakh crore in sales

The Khadi and Village Industries sector recorded sales of Rs 1,87,105 crore in the financial year 2025-26, surpassing the Rs 1.87 lakh crore mark for the first time in its history, according to provisional data released by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) on Tuesday.

KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar released the figures at Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat, in New Delhi, describing the performance as record-breaking across production, sales, and employment generation. “Compared to 2013-14, we have recorded a growth of 501 per cent in sales, 380 per cent in production, and 56 per cent in employment generation over the last 12 years,” Kumar said.

Production figures tell a parallel story. Output stood at Rs 26,109 crore in 2013-14. It has risen nearly fivefold to Rs 1,25,296 crore in 2025-26, a growth of 380 per cent. On employment, the sector now supports 2.04 crore people, up from 1.30 crore in 2013-14, a 56 per cent increase over 12 years. Within the broader sector, Khadi textiles have shown particularly sharp growth. Production rose from Rs 811 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 3,974 crore in 2025-26, an increase of approximately 390 per cent. Khadi textile sales grew from Rs 1,081 crore to Rs 7,869 crore, a jump of approximately 628 per cent.

The village industries segment accounts for the bulk of the sector’s overall numbers. Production in this segment grew from Rs 25,298 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1,21,322 crore in 2025-26, an increase of approximately 380 per cent. Sales in village industries rose from Rs 30,073 crore to Rs 1,79,236 crore, representing approximately 496 per cent growth. Employment in village industries alone rose from 1.19 crore to nearly 1.99 crore over the same period.

The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme added 66,494 new units in 2025-26 alone, with a margin money subsidy of Rs 2,457 crore disbursed against loans of Rs 7,375 crore. These units generated employment for 7,31,434 people. Cumulatively, since the scheme began, 10,84,679 units have been set up, providing employment to approximately 97.95 lakh people. Women have been central to the sector’s growth. Out of the 79,682 trainees who received training under various KVIC programmes in 2025-26, approximately 59 per cent, or 47,382, were women. Under the PMEGP, 28,180 women entrepreneurs established units during the year, creating employment for 3,09,980 women. Women also account for over 80 per cent of the approximately five lakh artisans working in the Khadi sector.

Artisan remuneration has also risen sharply. The rate paid per hank has increased from Rs 4 in 2013-14 to Rs 15 currently, a rise of approximately 275 per cent. Government procurement of Khadi and Village Industries products reached Rs 92.08 crore, while exhibition and marketing sales contributed Rs 30.83 crore. Sales of national flags rose from Rs 0.87 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 2.35 crore in 2025-26.

Under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana, a total of 3,23,006 machines, toolkits, and equipment have been distributed to artisans since the scheme began, with 37,769 units distributed in 2025-26 alone.