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Abstract
Cotton plays an important role in the Indian economy as the country's textile industry is predominantly cotton based. India is one of the largest producers as well as exporters of cotton yarn. The Indian textile industry contributes around 5 per cent to country’s gross domestic product (GDP), 14 per cent to industrial production and 11 per cent to total exports earnings. The industry is also the second-largest employer in the country after agriculture, providing employment to over 51 million people directly and 68 million people indirectly, including unskilled women. The textile industry is also expected to reach US$ 223 billion by the year 2021. The objectives of the study are, to discuss about recent growth and development of cotton textile industry of India, to estimate the economic importance of the industry and to study the various policies implemented by the government to promote the industry.