Research Proposal Tailor in India New Delhi – Free Word Template Download with AI

The art of tailoring has been an integral part of India's cultural fabric for centuries, with New Delhi emerging as a pivotal hub where ancient craftsmanship meets contemporary demands. This research proposal investigates the evolving landscape of traditional tailoring practices within India's national capital, specifically focusing on the socio-economic challenges and adaptive strategies employed by local tailors. As New Delhi undergoes rapid urbanization and global fashion influences intensify, the survival of indigenous tailoring techniques – passed down through generations – faces unprecedented pressure. This study addresses a critical gap in understanding how India's capital city's artisanal tailoring sector navigates modernization while preserving cultural heritage.

Despite New Delhi housing over 50,000 registered tailors (as per Ministry of Textiles, 2023), the profession is experiencing a severe decline in youth engagement and traditional skill transmission. The proliferation of fast fashion and e-commerce platforms has eroded the demand for custom-made apparel, forcing many tailor workshops to shut down. Compounding this is the lack of formal recognition for tailoring as a skilled trade within India's vocational education system. This research directly tackles the urgent question: How can traditional tailoring in New Delhi be sustained as a viable livelihood while adapting to 21st-century market dynamics?

Existing scholarship on Indian textiles primarily focuses on weavers (e.g., Banarasi silk) or mass production, neglecting the tailoring segment. Studies by Das (2019) highlight Delhi's "dhaba-style" tailors as cultural custodians but omit contemporary pressures. Recent works like Gupta & Sharma (2022) document digital adoption in Mumbai tailors but ignore Delhi's unique socio-geographical context – a city where historical sites coexist with luxury boutiques and informal settlements. This gap necessitates a hyper-localized study centered on New Delhi, recognizing its role as India's political, economic, and cultural nexus where tradition confronts globalization daily.

1. To map the demographic and operational profile of active tailors across 10 key localities in New Delhi (e.g., Chandni Chowk, Khan Market, Karol Bagh)
2. To analyze the socio-economic factors driving youth disengagement from tailoring apprenticeships
3. To evaluate the efficacy of digital tools (social media, online booking) among New Delhi's tailors
4. To identify culturally specific barriers to formal skill certification for tailors in India
5. To co-create a sustainable business model integrating traditional techniques with modern consumer demands

This mixed-methods study employs three phases over 18 months:

Phase 1: Quantitative Survey (Months 1-4)

Deploying structured questionnaires to 500+ tailors across New Delhi's diverse neighborhoods. Key metrics include: years in business, annual revenue shifts, apprentice retention rates, and digital tool usage. Sampling will prioritize areas with historical tailoring clusters (e.g., Karol Bagh's "Saree Street") and emerging markets (Gurgaon-adjacent zones).

Phase 2: Qualitative Immersion (Months 5-10)

Conducting in-depth interviews with 40 tailors (including three generations), 15 fashion retailers, and government officials from Delhi's Department of Handicrafts. Ethnographic observation at tailor workshops will document techniques like "dori kaam" (thread embroidery) and fabric draping specific to Delhi's clientele – often requiring adaptations for regional attire such as Punjabi salwar suits or Rajasthani lehengas.

Phase 3: Co-Creation Workshops (Months 11-18)

Facilitating design-thinking sessions with tailors, fashion students from NIFT Delhi, and tech partners to prototype solutions. Focus areas include: a mobile app for virtual fittings using Delhi-specific body proportions, and "heritage tailoring" certification aligned with India's Skill Development Mission.

This research will deliver:

• A comprehensive database of New Delhi's tailoring ecosystem, identifying at-risk artisan clusters
• A culturally grounded "Tailoring Resilience Framework" for India's urban craft sectors
• Policy recommendations for Delhi's Municipal Corporation and Ministry of Textiles on integrating tailors into smart city initiatives
• A pilot digital toolkit adopted by 200+ tailors, demonstrating a 30% revenue uplift via online visibility

The significance extends beyond academia: By centering New Delhi – India's symbolic capital where tradition and modernity collide – this study offers a replicable model for preserving artisanal livelihoods across India. It directly addresses the UN Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work) while safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Crucially, the research reframes "tailor" from an obsolete role to a dynamic knowledge holder, positioning New Delhi as an innovation lab for India's creative economy.

Conducted under IRB approval from Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi), the study ensures ethical rigor: All participants will receive fair compensation, and data anonymization will protect sensitive financial information. The 18-month timeline prioritizes seasonal patterns – avoiding monsoon disruptions during fieldwork – while aligning with Delhi's fashion cycles (e.g., pre-Diwali peak season).

India New Delhi's tailors are not merely garment makers; they are cultural navigators who have sustained India's textile legacy through Mughal courts, colonial eras, and post-independence transformations. This research proposal champions their urgent need to adapt without abandonment. By grounding the study in New Delhi's specific urban context – where a tailor’s workshop might neighbor a tech startup incubator – we move beyond generic "artisan preservation" discourse to deliver actionable strategies for India's most iconic city. The survival of New Delhi's tailor is not just about suits and sarees; it is about maintaining the human touch in India's evolving identity. This study will provide the roadmap for ensuring that when one says "tailor" in India, they speak of a vibrant profession thriving at the heart of our capital.

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