India moves closer to a national apparel sizing standard built on local body measurements

The Ministry of Textiles is nearing a standardised apparel-sizing framework based on NIFT’s survey of more than 25,000 Indians aged 15 and above. Using familiar S, M and L labels, the framework aims to reduce fit variation between brands and improve garment design for Indian body types.

— Filed Thu, 30 Jul, 2026, 06:08 IST · Source ET Small Business · Updated

India’s textiles ministry is finalising a national apparel sizing framework using familiar S, M and L labels, based on NIFT’s anthropometric study. The standard aims to reduce fit inconsistencies across brands and improve garment design for Indian body types.

Why this matters

The sizing framework adds a consumer-apparel standardisation effort to the Ministry’s recent approval of 31 technical-textile start-ups under the GREAT scheme.

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