Under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Textiles, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) – New Delhi, will conduct a National Sizing Survey of India to develop an ‘India size chart’ for the garment industry.
Need for India Size Chart:
The garment industry in India currently follows tweaked versions of US or the UK size charts of ‘small, medium, large, extra large’.
- Following these charts has been identified as main reason for high return and rejection rate of 20% to 40% in Indian garments industry.
- This rate has been increasing with the growth of e-commerce, and poor garment fit is the main reason given for return of garments purchased online.
- With ‘India Size Chart’ in place, all brands selling in India, including foreign brands, will have to carry the India size label on all garments
- Countries that have successfully completed national sizing surveys: Australia, China, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, South Korea, Netherlands, Thailand, US, UK.
Details about National Sizing Survey of India:
The survey would be administered on 25000 men and women in the age group of 15-65 years, across six cities and regions viz. Kolkata (east), Mumbai (west), New Delhi (north), Hyderabad (centre), Bengaluru (south) and Shillong (north-east), using 3D whole-body scanners.
- It is to be noted that no children will be measured as a part of the survey.
- About 120 different anthropometric elements, including, height, weight, waist-size, hip-size, bust-size, would be included in the survey
- Entire project, including survey and finalising the size chart, would be completed within 2-3 years.
- Approximate cost for the project would be Rs. 30 crore, out of which Rs. 21 crore would be provided by Union Ministry of Textiles while NIFT will chip in Rs. 9 crore.
Quick Facts about National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT):
- Established in – 1986
- Main Campus Located in – New Delhi
- Affiliated to – Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
