Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), under the office of Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India came into existence in 1956 at Varanasi by conducting a Diploma program in Handloom Technology. Later on, this diploma program was upgraded to a Diploma in Handloom & Textile Technology. Considering the potential for the development of the handloom industry, 5 more IIHTs were established at Salem (1960), Guwahati (1982), Jodhpur (1993) Bargarh (2008), and Fulia (2015). Besides these 6 central IIHTs, 5 IIHTs were established under the state sector also at Kannur, Venkatagiri, Gadag, Champa & Hyderabad. Each central IIHT is provided with the jurisdiction of certain nearby states from which the students are admitted.