Handloom Weavers' Children Scholarship Statistics: Applications and Sanctions by Year
· 1 min read · 3 official sources
531 scholarship applications for children of handloom weavers had been sanctioned under the National Handloom Development Programme by June 2026, according to the Ministry of Textiles. Sanctions rose to 183 in 2024-25, and 110 were sanctioned in 2025-26 up to October 2025. Year-wise applications and sanctions are below.
National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP): Scholarship Component: key numbers
Infographic
Scholarship applications received and sanctioned, by year
Applications from handloom weavers' children received and sanctioned each year. 33 applications came in during 2021-22 (from October 2021) and are counted in the 2022-23 received figure; the 2024-25 sanctions include applications received in 2023-24. 2025-26 is up to October 2025.
| Year | Applications received | Applications sanctioned |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 57 | 45 |
| 2023-24 | 108 | 45 |
| 2024-25 | 173 | 183 |
| 2025-26 | 154 | 110 |
Source: pib.gov.in, as on 31 October 2025
How a weaver's child gets the scholarship
What the numbers show
Since October 2021, the National Handloom Development Programme has paid scholarships of up to Rs 2 lakh a year to the children of handloom weavers and workers who study textiles at government-recognised institutions. By June 2026, 531 applications had been sanctioned, according to the Ministry of Textiles note for National Handloom Day 2026.
The trend over the years
The scheme started slowly. A Rajya Sabha reply of February 2026 shows 33 applications in the first months (October 2021 to March 2022), and 45 sanctions in each of 2022-23 and 2023-24. Demand then grew: 173 applications came in during 2024-25 and 183 were sanctioned, the sanctions including some applications from the previous year. In 2025-26, up to October 2025, 154 applications were received and 110 sanctioned.
How the scheme is run
Weavers apply through the nearest Weavers' Service Centre, a field office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms). The zonal office recommends eligible cases, and the money is sent to the bank account of the weaver or the student. The ministry says all eligible students who apply are granted the scholarship, and the centres hold camps and chaupals to spread awareness among weavers.
What the figures do not tell you
The figures count applications sanctioned, and the release does not say how many separate students they cover. It also does not give the amount paid, the courses chosen or a state-wise split.
Where to check the numbers
The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) publishes scheme guidelines on handlooms.nic.in. Updated counts appear in Parliament replies and in the PIB note released each year for National Handloom Day on 7 August.
Frequently asked questions
How many handloom scholarships have been sanctioned?
531 applications had been sanctioned since the scheme began in October 2021, as on June 2026, according to the PIB note for National Handloom Day 2026.
How many scholarships were sanctioned in 2024-25?
183 applications were sanctioned in 2024-25, including some received in 2023-24. 173 applications were received during the year.
How many applications came in 2025-26?
154 applications were received and 110 sanctioned in 2025-26 up to October 2025, according to a Rajya Sabha reply of 6 February 2026.
Are all eligible applicants given the scholarship?
The Ministry of Textiles says all eligible students who apply are granted the scholarship. Some applications are sanctioned in a later year: the 2024-25 sanctions included applications received in 2023-24.
How much is the scholarship worth?
It provides up to Rs 2 lakh a year per child, for up to two children of a handloom weaver or worker, for textile diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate courses.
Eligibility, documents and how to apply: National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP): Scholarship Component full guide
Charts, data files and the infographic are free to download, share and embed with a link back to this page.
Sources
This guide was checked against these official pages:
- pib.gov.in (www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2224405)
- pib.gov.in (www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=159448&ModuleId=3)
- handlooms.nic.in (handlooms.nic.in/)