§1What this business is

Cotton or cotton-Lycra knit fabric (circular-knit fabric for vests) is spread, cut to patterns with a motorised blade and stitched on single-needle, double-needle and overlock machines in an assembly line. Elastic waistbands are attached and garments are checked and packed. The report prices products at ₹70–80 a piece and fabric at ₹60 a metre.

Capacity: Sales of ₹176.66 L a year at full capacity; ₹106.00 L at 60% in year 1.

§2Is it right for you?

Who it is for

Someone with hosiery or garment-trade experience and links with wholesalers in small towns.

Who it is not for

Someone expecting quick profit — break-even is above 60% of capacity.

Advantages

  • Everyday product bought again and again
  • Few styles and sizes compared with fashion wear
  • Simple sewing machines
  • Can sell in villages and towns where brands are costly

Drawbacks

  • Very low price per piece and thin margin
  • Big brands advertise heavily
  • Year 1 is a loss in the report
  • Large workforce

Skills you need

  • Knit fabric sourcing
  • Assembly-line production
  • Cost control on low-priced goods
  • Distribution through wholesalers

Why difficulty 3/5: Simple to make, but very thin margins and strong brand competition.

§3Market

Who buys

  • Hosiery and garment retailers
  • Wholesalers in towns and villages
  • Online shoppers

How it sells

  • Wholesale markets
  • Distributors to small-town shops
  • Online marketplaces

Good to know

  • The report notes that home-stitched woven undergarments are giving way to ready-made knitwear.
  • The report notes that many men choose not to wear a vest, while underwear use starts in childhood.

§4Raw material & machinery

ItemQtyCost
Single-needle machines10₹6,00,000
Double-needle machines5₹3,75,000
Overlock machines2₹80,000
Cutting tables and cutting machines2₹2,00,000
Inspection tables2₹50,000
Storage system1 lot₹2,00,000

From: SIDBI Stand-Up Mitra project profile — Mens' Under Garments (2018) — private guide — confirm locally

  • Fine-count cotton knit fabric with a little Lycra₹60 a metre in the report
  • Circular-knit fabric for veststhe report says it suits vests best
  • Elastic, thread, labels and packingbought from trims suppliers

From: SIDBI Stand-Up Mitra project profile — Mens' Under Garments (2018) — private guide — confirm locally

Suppliers in Building Business Bazaar

Industrial Machines Pvt. Ltd · Delhi →Industrial Sewing Systems · Chennai →Paras Special Machine Co · Ludhiana →Vijay Sewing Pvt. Ltd · Kolkata →Powerloom Cloth · Surat →Vardhman Threads Mahavir Spinning Mills Ltd. · Ludhiana →

§5Licences & registration

  1. Udyam registration
  2. GST
  3. Shops and Establishments registration
  4. Professional tax where the state levies it
  5. Factory licence, ESI and PF once worker numbers cross the limits

We can do this registration for you

§6Schemes & subsidies

₹24.79 L fits PMEGP (manufacturing up to ₹50 L); the ₹11.43 L loan fits MUDRA and Stand-Up India (₹10 L–₹1 crore) for SC/ST and women founders; CGTMSE can guarantee it.

§7Money

How the investment is worked out: Plant and machinery ₹12.55 L, furniture and electrical ₹5.00 L, rent deposit ₹1.50 L, working capital margin ₹5.74 L = ₹24.79 L. No land or building — premises rented.

Working capital: Working capital ₹9.70 L; margin ₹5.74 L, bank ₹3.96 L.

Prices from 2018 — machinery and building costs will be higher now.

How to prepare a loan file

§8Export potential

Export council / board: Not verified yet

  • No HS code or export body has been checked against an official list yet.

§9Risks — where people fail

  • Price pressure from brands and cheap imports
  • Yarn and fabric price rises
  • Labour turnover
  • Slow-moving sizes

§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan

A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.

  1. Days 1–30: Visit a working men's undergarments (briefs, trunks and vests) unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
  2. Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, GST), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
  3. Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.

§11Who to connect with

Not verified yet

Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect

§12Watch

There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.

Want to start Men's Undergarments (Briefs, Trunks and Vests)?

DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.

Get a DPR / loan file made

Sources

  1. SIDBI Stand-Up Mitra project profile — Mens' Under Garments (2018)

Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.