There is nothing that does not contain textile in some form or the other. Textiles include woven, knitted or printed fabrics used for making clothes, furnishings, upholstery, carpets, lace etc. A toothbrush has nylon fibre, shoes have laces and a textile layer, cars have upholstered seats, and nylon tyres. Polyester fabric is used asprosthesis in the heart to replace worn-out blood vessels and a rocket has a high performance carbon fibre in it.

Textile technology, once considered a handicraft, has become a highly sophisticated, scientific and engineering activity thanks to the invention of new types of fibres and technologies. The field encompasses different areas of engineering such as mechanical, electrical, computer, chemical, instrumentation, electronic and structural engineering.

Apparel and fashion technology, a part of textile technology has become an important activity for the designing, fashioning and marketing of garments. All this requires knowledge of latest technology and the present day textile-design students are poised to take up the challenge. The knitwear and process sectors especially, are witnessing change in a big way.

The textile industry in India is one of the oldest industries. It provides direct employment to nearly thirty million people. Yarn exports in recent years have gone up from 485 thousand tonnes, (valued at Rs.586 billion) to 554 thousand tonnes (valued at Rs. 667.4 billion). As our textile technology is of a high standard, textile students can find a place in cotton corporations, test houses for cotton fibres and yarn testing. A number of yarn export units absorb textile graduates as trainees as do major textile machinery manufacturers. Textile composite mills, which are into spinning, weaving and garment making, too take fresh graduates. There is scope in both the export and domestic sector for those with the specialized training. A number of software units also recruit textile graduates with an attractive starting salary.

Many industries such as sizing units, texturing units, processing houses and finishing units can be started on a small scale. There is a need for starting testing laboratories with sophisticated testing equipment which an excellent line for qualified graduates.

Opportunities are available for higher studies in the subject. While TNPSC/UPSC/SSC/ICAR/DRDO/AICTE select candidates for top-level executive positions in the government and other institutions. Self- employment in many fields of textile technology is becoming an attractive option for bright young entrepreneurs who wish to strike out on their own. Functional expertise and a will to persevere often spell success in this booming industry.