The government has waived all customs duties on cotton imports for five months until October 30, 2026, in a move aimed at improving the availability of cotton for the domestic textile industry and reducing input costs for manufacturers, PTI reported.According to the Ministry of Finance notification, the customs exemption will come into effect as of June 1, 2026.The government said the measure aims to increase the availability of cotton to the Indian textile sector, which depends on adequate supplies of raw materials to support production.The temporary exemption is expected to reduce input costs across the textile and apparel value chain, providing targeted relief to manufacturers and consumers while keeping in mind the interests of local cotton farmers.The ministry said the move is likely to have a positive impact on the performance of the local textile industry, especially small and medium enterprises, by ensuring better availability of cotton in the market.The fee waiver will remain in effect until October 30, 2026.