Handicrafts and Handloom
Handicrafts are the traditional export industry of J&K and one of its largest sources of self-employment.
Key numbers (Economic Survey 2025-26)
- About 4.45 lakh artisans and craftsmen, many from weaker sections.
- 634 training centres; 6,000-7,000 trainees complete one- and two-year courses every year.
- 6,969 registered artisan cooperative societies.
- Exports: Rs 733.59 crore (2024-25), led by carpets, woollen shawls and papier-mâché.
- Export Production Index rank: 35 (2020) to 17 (2022).
- World's first QR-code GI certification: 51,197 shawls and 19,686 carpets GI-labelled.
- Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (Srinagar) has trained over 11,000 artisans.
- Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC), Kashmir, is being taken for NABL accreditation.
Major crafts
| Craft | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pashmina shawl | Wool from the Changthangi goat of Ladakh; spun and woven in Srinagar; GI |
| Kani shawl | Woven with wooden bobbins (kanis) at Kanihama, Budgam; GI; ODOP of Budgam |
| Sozni (Sozani) embroidery | Fine needlework on shawls; GI |
| Crewel / chain-stitch | Embroidered furnishings; ODOP of Bandipora (crewel shawls) |
| Carpets (hand-knotted) | Wool and silk; GI; ODOP silk carpet of Srinagar |
| Papier-mâché | Painted boxes and objects; GI |
| Walnut wood carving | Furniture and screens; GI (Srinagar, Anantnag) |
| Khatamband | Ceiling woodwork; GI |
| Willow wicker | Baskets, kangris; ODOP of Ganderbal |
| Cricket bat | Kashmir willow, Anantnag (Sangam, Charar) |
| Copperware | Srinagar |
| Namda and Gabba | Felted and embroidered rugs |
| Basohli painting and Basohli Pashmina | Kathua; both GI; ODOP of Kathua |
| Chikri woodcraft | Rajouri (Thanamandi); GI |
| Ladakh wood carving, Pashmina wool of Ladakh | GI |
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from the J&K Economic Survey 2025-26, J&K Budget 2026-27, PRS Legislative Research, NITI Aayog and replies in Parliament and the Legislative Assembly. Figures are advance estimates or latest available and official replies sometimes differ, so check the latest Economic Survey and Budget before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.