India has seen a steady increase in raw silk output and a boom in exports over the past six years.

India's output of raw silk has steadily increased, from 31,906 metric tons (MT) in 2017–18 to 38,913 MT in 2023–24. During this time, exports have increased dramatically.

Mulberry silk output increased from 22,066 MT in 2017–18 to 29,892 MT in 2023–24, thanks to the expansion of mulberry plantings from 223,926 hectares in 2017–18 to 263,352 hectares in 2023–24, according to the most recent government data.

The total amount of raw silk produced in 2023–2024 was 38,913 MT, up from 31,906 MT in 2017–18. From Rs 1,649.48 crore in 2017–18 to Rs 2,027.56 crore in 2023–24, the value of silk and silk-related exports increased.

The country exported 3348 MT of silk waste in 2023–2024, according to data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS).

The output of raw silk is projected to reach 34,042 metric tonnes over the April–January period of 2024–25, an increase of nearly 10,000 tons over the corresponding figure of 24,299 metric tonnes during the same time in 2014–2015.

India is the world's largest consumer of silk and its second-largest producer. The states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, and West Bengal are the primary producers of mulberry silk in India, whereas Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Orissa, and the northeastern states are the primary producers of non-mulberry silk.

Silkworms that solely consume mulberry leaves produce mulberry silk. It is ideal for high-end fabrics and luxury sarees because it is smooth, lustrous, and brightly glowing. Mulberries account for over 92% of the nation's entire production of raw silk.

Wild silkworms that consume leaves from trees including oak, castor, and arjun produce non-mulberry silk, also referred to as Vanya silk. This silk is robust, long-lasting, and environmentally sustainable, but it feels more organic and earthy and has less sheen.

The expansion of India's silk industry is greatly aided by government initiatives. These programs offer resources and financial assistance for a range of sericulture-related endeavors.

The government's 'Silk Samagra' project is a significant effort to boost India's sericulture sector. Through a variety of sericulture-related initiatives across the nation, it seeks to empower marginalized, impoverished, and backward families while increasing production by enhancing quality and productivity.

This initiative is being expanded with the "Silk Samagra-2," which has a budget of Rs 4,679.85 crore for the years 2021–2022–2025–2026.

Over 78,000 people have benefited from central assistance totaling Rs. 1,075.58 crore thus far. According to official records, Andhra Pradesh has received financial support for "Silk Samagra-2" components totaling Rs. 72.50 crore and Telangana has received Rs. 40.66 crore over the past three years.