CMAI Sees Indian Apparel Market at USD 146.3 Billion by 2029

15 October 2026: The Indian apparel market could reach USD 146.3 billion by 2029, according to a study by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) and 1Lattice. PTI reported the findings from New Delhi on 7 October 2026, pointing to rural consumption and changing clothing preferences as opportunities for manufacturers and retailers.

The study, Indian Apparel Market Size: A Consumer Research Report 2025, estimates domestic apparel consumption at USD 95.7 billion in 2025, up from USD 49.3 billion in 2020. Mint’s account of the research says it surveyed 10,929 consumers across 16 states, with fieldwork between November 2025 and February 2026.

Indian apparel market forecast: the growth-rate caveat

Published coverage cites a 9% compound annual growth rate. But growth from USD 95.7 billion in 2025 to USD 146.3 billion in 2029 implies about 11.2% annually across four years. The figures and the quoted rate do not reconcile; the calculation needs clarification from CMAI and 1Lattice.

The forecast concerns domestic clothing consumption, not all textiles or exports. It therefore measures a narrower market than the broader textile and apparel outlook covered in Screen Print India’s earlier FICCI–Wazir report.

Where is apparel demand coming from?

The study puts rural apparel consumption at USD 55.9 billion in 2025, roughly 58% of the total. Metro and Tier-I markets contributed USD 14.2 billion, Tier-II markets USD 8.5 billion, and Tier-III and smaller markets USD 17.1 billion, according to Mint.

CMAI President Santosh Katariya said the next growth phase would increasingly come from beyond metropolitan markets. For suppliers, that suggests matching prices and product ranges to local demand rather than assuming a uniform national buyer.

Screen Print India’s 2026 festive survey coverage gives separate, shorter-term context on manufacturer expectations. It measures business sentiment, not the consumer spending assessed in this study.

Menswear leads, while kidswear has growth potential

Menswear remained the largest category in 2025 at USD 38.5 billion, followed by womenswear at USD 35.6 billion and kidswear at USD 21.6 billion. Published accounts identify kidswear as the fastest-growing segment in the forecast, followed by womenswear.

Casual clothing leads by wearing occasion, but ethnicwear retains a substantial role, particularly in womenswear. The findings describe demand for both everyday comfort and outfits for weddings and other celebrations, rather than a wholesale move away from traditional clothing.

Are online channels replacing physical stores?

Physical stores accounted for 83% of apparel sales in 2025, compared with 17% online, according to the study as reported by Mint. Estimated sales reached USD 79.4 billion offline and USD 16.3 billion online. That balance supports a retail approach combining digital discovery with physical distribution. 

What does the forecast mean for garment printers?

Wider apparel demand could create opportunities for screen printing, embroidery and digital garment decoration.