Shri Ashwin Chandran has taken over as the new Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) starting September 18, 2025. Shri Chandran takes over the chairmanship from Shri Rakesh Mehra whose term ended on September 18 following the conclusion of CITI’s 67th AGM which was held during the day.
Shri Dinesh Nolkha would become the new Deputy Chairman of CITI.
Shri Shreyaskar Chaudhary will take over as the new Vice Chairman of CITI.
A distinguished textile industry leader, Shri Chandran is Chairman & Managing Director of Precot Limited, one of the leading cotton mills in India which operates units in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. A former Chairman of the Southern India Mills Association (SIMA), he is also a member of the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL). Shri Chandran holds a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Textile Technology of UMIST, UK, and, also, a Post Graduate degree in Management from the University of Illinois, US.
An eminent presence in the textile sector, Shri Nolkha is Chairman & Managing Director of the Bhilwara-based Nitin Spinners Ltd., one of the leading manufacturers of cotton yarn, blended yarn, knitted fabrics and finished woven fabrics. Shri Nolkha is a former President of the Mewar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and has also been Chairman of the Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA). Shri Nolkha is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and The Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of India.
A noted personality in the sphere of sustainability, Shri Chaudhary is Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh-based Pratibha Syntex Limited which is committed to transforming the textile industry through innovation, ethical practices, and a strong focus on environmental stewardship. Pratibha Syntex is India’s first Apparel Manufacturing Fair Trade Certified factory. The company is also India’s first ZDHC Certified Apparel Manufacturer. Shri Chaudhary has a background in Textile Technology from UMIST, UK. Underlining the priorities of his CITI Chairmanship, Shri Ashwin Chandran said there was an immediate priority and a longer-term one. Page 2 of 2
The new CITI Chairman said the pressing priority was to work closely with all stakeholders, including the government, to address the grave challenge which has been posed to the Indian textile and apparel sector through the United States (the single-largest market for India’s textile and apparel exports) imposing a 50% tariff on Indian products with effect from August 27, 2025.
The longer-term focus would be on future proofing India’s textile and apparel sector – the bulk of which is made up of MSMEs – to improve the global competitiveness of local textile and apparel companies.
Greater emphasis would be laid on innovation, sustainability, capacity building (including through skill development), and knowledge sharing so that Indian textile and apparel enterprises can grow the size of their businesses both within India and overseas, and get to a position where they can derive the fullest benefits from the free trade agreements (FTAs) already signed by India and those on the anvil.
“CITI remains fully committed to be an important contributor to the Viksit Bharat mission,” Shri Chandran added.
India aims to create a $250 billion domestic textile industry by 2030. The country is also aspiring to more than double textile and apparel exports to $100 billion by 2030.
