GREAT Scheme (Grant for Research & Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles) Context : Ministry of Textiles is implementing the GREAT (Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles) scheme under the National Technical Textiles Mission. About GREAT Scheme The GREAT Scheme was started in August 2023 to strengthen the startup ecosystem in the Technical Textiles sector in India. It is implemented under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) component of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). The scheme encourages young innovators, scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, and startups to convert their innovative ideas into commercial products and technologies, helping India become self-reliant. It provides financial support to individual entrepreneurs and startups for developing functional prototypes and commercializing technical textile innovations. The scheme covers innovations in various Technical Textile segments, including: Agro-textiles, Buildtech (Building Textiles), Clothtech, Geotextiles, Hometech (Home Textiles), Indutech (Industrial Textiles), Meditech (Medical Textiles), Mobiltech (Mobile Textiles), Oekotech (Eco-friendly Textiles), Packtech (Packaging Textiles), Protech (Protective Textiles), Sportech (Sports Textiles) Funding Support: Eligible applicants can receive a grant of up to ₹50 lakh for a maximum period of 18 months. National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) The National Technical Textiles Mission was launched to increase the use of technical textiles in India and promote the rapid growth of this sector. Its objective is to make India a global leader in Technical Textiles. Major Components of NTTM Research, Innovation, and Development (R&D) Promotion and Market Development Export Promotion Education, Training, and Skill Development Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Textiles. National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM) Context: The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs informed the Rajya Sabha that under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM), Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) screening is being conducted for people aged 0–40 years in 17 tribal-dominated states through health facilities from District…
