Includes bibliographical references.

Since prehistoric times, the Indian textile industry has played a significant role in the nation's industrial system and serves as a representation of Indian culture. In India, 65 per cent of handloom households are located in northeastern states. Meghalaya is known for its traditional Eri silk weaving practices and it is home to two important cottage based, eco-friendly industries. Meghalaya produces various woven products, including Stoles, Shawls, Muffler, Dhara and Bag. Handloom weaving is a significant economic activity, providing direct and indirect employment to 35.23 lakh workers. The North-East has the highest concentration of handloom weavers, with women participating at around 88.00%. Meghalaya has 42,755 handloom weavers and 1,553 allied workers, with the Government of India supporting them through various policies and schemes. A holistic study on the profitability of handloom weaving in Meghalaya is needed to understand its efficiency. Considering the above facts, the study was taken up with three objectives, viz., (1) To study the profitability of the major handloom silk products. (2) To examine the marketing pattern of major handloom silk products in study area. (3) To identify the problems pertaining to the Handloom weavers in production and marketing. The current study was conducted in four villages of Umling block in Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya. A sample of 120 respondents was selected using a proportionate simple random sampling method. Pre-structured standardized interview schedule was used for primary data collection. To accomplish the stated objectives, various analytical tools were utilized, including descriptive statistics, profitability measures, producer surplus analysis, marketing costs and margins, price spread, marketing efficiency, and Garrett ranking. The study revealed that Net returns of weavers for the products of Stole, Muffler, Shawl, Dhara and Bag were ₹371.53, ₹343.83, ₹469.77, ₹5049.10 and ₹291.75, with benefit cost ratio of 1.17, 1.27, 1.14, 1.56 and 1.21 respectively. Among different categories of weavers’ category-II was providing more returns with the benefit-cost ratio of 1.56. In the study area, three marketing channels for major products were identified, with channel III—free of market intermediaries—proving to be more efficient than channels I and II. In overall. Handloom silk weaving in the study area was found to be profitable and economically feasible. The major problems faced by the handloom weavers were backpain, knee pain, high cost of inputs, limited yarn supply, Intermediaries exploitation, Inadequate workspace and poor road connectivity. Hence, the Department of Textiles has to intervene by organizing publicity/awareness campaigns on handloom products, facilitating access to international markets, and improving ergonomic standards for the usage of handloom tools.