National Standard Size initiative in Apparel Sector

 12 January 2023, Mumbai

It is hard to believe but is the truth of the day is that a country as big as India with a population of almost 1.4 billion people was totally ignored when it comes to sizing as little seriousness was attached to this initiative.

The absence of a standardized size chart hinders the expansion of the domestic textile and Indian garment industries, notwithstanding the recent noteworthy increase in the e-commerce retail sector.

“IndiaSize - National Sizing Survey of India”

Additionally, it is designed to result in more sales and fewer rejections, according to the then (DG) director general of NIFT undetaking this comprehensive anthropometric research study well intended to develop a holistic body size chart for the Indian population mandated by Ministry of Textiles.

India's first country-specific size chart is being created by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to provide Indians with better-fitting clothing. "Indians will appear more beautiful and feel more confident wearing clothing customized using a size chart created explicitly for the size and shape of the Indian body.

Nuts & bolts

Essential information like gender, location, and age was compiled for the mapping survey. The poll was divided into two phases: the first examined a size chart for people aged 15 to 65, and the second map sizes for youngsters and footwear. Each scan required a total of 15 minutes to complete.

In Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Shillong, NIFT were to install full-body scanners.

For the poll, NIFT had explicitly expressed its intention to involve critical stakeholders in the market, including major e-commerce companies.

Under the direction of the Ministry of Textiles (MoT), the Government of India, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, had earlier launched a massive national sizing survey to create an anthropometric database of measurements for Indians that is genuinely representative of the entire Indian population.

Government’s role in the size initiative

The study of Indian apparel consumption was started by the textile minister survey over three to six months to determine the country's overall apparel consumption allowing for more realistic business estimates, improved marketing plans, and investment in the sector.

The ministry’s National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) based in New Delhi was mandated with the project that involved gathering anthropometric comprehensive data from more than 25,000 gents and ladies between 15 and 65 years of age Pan-India using 3D whole body scanning technology approach & methodology.

The cities involved are New Delhi (North), Mumbai (West), Chennai (South), Hyderabad (Centre), Kolkata (East), and Shillong (North-East). "NIFT is happy to be associated with MoT's project of "INDIAsize," was alluded confidently by Shantmanu, IAS, the then DG NIFT.

In this scientific experiment, human-safe 3D whole-body scanner technology is used to gather anthropometric data from a sample population to develop a standard-size chart. This will adhere to all international size survey criteria and be a true reflection of the Indian population, allowing the garment industry to embrace it.

The study seeks to fill the information gap on the home market's scope, size, and breadth.

To create a statistically sound database that may be used as the basis for research on growth patterns in the upcoming year, the study will strive to identify regional and product category consumption patterns across the nation. 

Other connected initiatives

The initiative continues to have blessings of the MoT as was echoed even by the former Textile Minister, "The govt. is committed to making sure that those looking to train individuals in stitching, tailoring, garment manufacturing, and retail come together under Ministry initiatives and embark on a new path in the skilling segment".

Stepping back The then Minister of Textile (MoT) had stated that the CMAI and its members have decided to work with the Ministry of Textiles to identify power loom clusters from which sufficient resources for retail enterprises can be obtained, with help from the government to power loom weavers.

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