Standing Committee Report SummaryCommittee Report: Functioning of National Institute of Fashion TechnologyThe Standing Committee on Labour (Chair: Mr. Bhartruhari Mahtab) submitted its report on the functioning of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).  The Committee assessed the performance of NIFT in promoting education and research in fashion technology and examined the need of government support required by it.   NIFT is an institute of fashion education with seventeen campuses setup across the country.It was made a statutory institute in 2006 by the NIFT Act, 2006.  NIFTprovides professional human resources to the textile and apparel industry.  Key observations and recommendations of the Committee include:Faculty vacancy:The Committee noted that there were high levels of vacancy for posts at the senior faculty level.  As of 2021-22, 46% of the posts are vacant.  The Committee noted that this impacts academic targets and recommended filling these vacancies by 2022.Recognition by University Grants Commission (UGC):NIFT offersvarious degrees in undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral studies.The Committee noted that these degrees offered by NIFT are not recognised by the UGC.  It recommended that this issue should be looked into and degrees offered by NIFT should be recognised by UGC.Status of an Institute of National Importance:The Committee noted that alumni from NIFT occupy over 70% of the managerial positions in textile and fashion industry in south east Asia.  NIFT has been ranked among the top fashion institutes in world rankings.  The Committee observed that the institute has had a long-standing demand to be recognised as an Institute of National Importance.  The Committee noted that granting the status of an Institute of National Importance would allow NIFT to take advantage of growing opportunities in the fashion industry.  It therefore recommended that NIFT should be recognised as an Institute of National Importance.Budgetary support:NIFT has received various grants from the central government from 1986-87 to 2006-07.  Since 2007-08, it received Rs 10 crore per year for a period of five years which was gradually discontinued in the year 2013-14.  The Committee noted that since 2013-14 NIFT has not been funded or given any grants to meet its revenue and administrative expenses.  It recommended that the Ministry of Textiles should ensure adequate funding is provided to NIFT.Programmes:NIFT offers a broad range of courses in fashion education.  These include: (i) undergraduate and post graduate degrees, (ii) diploma programmes, (iii) short duration courses, and (iv) doctoral programmes.   The Committee noted that cutting edge technologies and expertise in complex aspects of fashion may enhance standards of Indian fashion industry.  It recommended that NIFT should expand current courses and programmes as per international standards to get global recognition.Design Innovation Incubator Project (DIIP):NIFT has developed the DIIP that seeks to develop projects and incubate 50-60 establishments which can generate employment for 1,500 people in the fashion industry.  The Committee recommended increasing the speed of implementation of this project.  It further suggested to establish similar projects to encourage ventures which will help creating employment opportunities for people in the fashion sector.Textiles and Crafts Repository Project:The textiles and crafts repository project was developed by NIFT in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles.  The project provides a portal for a digital museum to showcase textiles and apparels with information on craft persons and their products.The Committee recommended that the portal should be merged with the National Centre of Textile Design.  The National Centre for Textile Design makes various designs available to the textile sector. This will allow researchers and entrepreneurs to access various resources through the portal.Craft Cluster Initiative:The craft cluster initiative by NIFT provides an opportunity for students to interact with artisans.  The Committee recommended creating a portal through this initiative to allow buyers to directly get in touch with artisans to minimise the role of middlemen between buyers and artisans.DISCLAIMER: This document is being furnished to you for your information.  You may choose to reproduce or redistribute this report for non-commercial purposes in part or in full to any other person with due acknowledgement of PRS Legislative Research (“PRS”).  The opinions expressed herein are entirely those of the author(s).  PRS makes every effort to use reliable and comprehensive information, but PRS does not represent that the contents of the report are accurate or complete.  PRS is an independent, not-for-profit group.  This document has been prepared without regard to the objectives or opinions of those who may receive it.