IndiaSkills National Competition 2025–26: a beginning to India’s journey to WorldSkills Competition Shanghai 2026

Bringing together over 650 top-performing participants across 63 skill categories, the 4-day IndiaSkills National Competition 2025–26 showcased the highest standards of technical proficiency, innovation, and discipline. Held at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida from March 29 to April 2 under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and supported by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), the competition wtinessed 288 outstanding performers being awarded medals — including Gold (63), Silver (64), Bronze (68), and Medallions for Excellence (93) — across diverse skill domains, ranging from cloud computing, electronics, CNC machining, mobile app development and web technologies to hospitality, beauty therapy, floristry, fashion technology and welding. This includes 45 women winners, showcasing women’s strong inclination towards skilling.  Odisha (57) recorded the highest number of medals, followed by Tamil Nadu (46).

The winners of the national competition will go on to represent India at the WorldSkills Competition Shanghai 2026, carrying forward the nation’s ambition to emerge as a global hub for skilled talent. With participation from over 3.65 lakh youth across 36 States and Union Territories in this cycle, the IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26 has reinforced the growing aspiration among India’s youth to pursue skills as a pathway to success.

The strength of IndiaSkills lies in its collaborative ecosystem, bringing together the Central and State Governments, Sector Skill Councils, academic institutions, and industry partners to ensure strong alignment with real-world requirements. In the current cycle, over a dozen Sector Skill Councils are supporting competitions across key sectors such as automotive, electronics, IT–ITeS, construction, retail, agriculture, tourism, and healthcare, with active participation from more than 200 leading industry partners, including Toyota Kirloskar, Maruti Suzuki, JK Cement, and Lincoln Electric, ensuring that tasks and assessments closely mirror industry standards.

Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, described IndiaSkills is a powerful reflection of India’s evolving identity as a nation that values skills as much as knowledge. “It showcases the spirit of a young India that is ready to learn, adapt, and compete on the global stage. In a world where success is momentary and change is constant, the real strength lies in staying agile, continuously upgrading oneself, and embracing new opportunities with confidence. Education provides the foundation and skills give it purpose and direction. When both come together, they unlock individual potential and drive national progress. This belief is backed by unprecedented investments, ₹84,000 crore in education and ₹60,000 crore to strengthen institutions like ITIs, signalling a transformative shift in how we prepare our youth for the future.”

“IndiaSkills also represents a collective effort of government, industry, and society, working together to turn policy into real impact on the ground. It is here that young minds experience global standards, face real pressure, and build the confidence needed to excel beyond borders. This is the moment to dream, to compete, and to move forward with courage, because the journey from India to the world begins with the skills we build today,” he added.

Skill ministers from several states attended the ceremony and included Sanjay Singh Tiger, Bihar’s Minister for Labour Resources and Migrant Workers Welfare Department and Youth, Employment and Skill Development Department, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Maharashtra, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Minister, Industries & Commerce; Youth Affairs & Sports; Skills, Planning and Entrepreneurship; IT & Communications; Soldier Welfare, Rajasthan, Kapil Dev Agarwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Vocational Education and Skill Development Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Gaurav Gautam,  Minister of State, Youth Empowerment & Entrepreneurship, Haryana.

A key highlight of the ceremony was the felicitation of WorldSkills Asia 2025 winners, including competitors and experts, who have contributed to strengthening India’s presence at the global level. Glovatrix India, an Indian startup building AI gloves to help speech impaired communicate effectively, was also honoured for receiving the “BeChangeMaker 2025” recognition from WorldSkills International for their innovative approach to improving accessibility for deaf people, reflecting innovation and leadership in the skilling ecosystem.

The closing ceremony was graced by several distinguished dignitaries, including Shri Manoj Kumar Meena, IAS, Secretary, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Govt. of Karnataka; Shri Pulkit Khare, IAS Mission Director, UPSDM; Shri Manish Shanker, Mission Firector, Bihar Skill Development Mission; Shri Rajeev Ranjan, Principal Secretary for Youth Employment Department, Government of Haryana; Dr. M. S. Lakshmi Priya, IAS, MD, ASDM; Smt Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra, CEO, World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar; Ms. Manisha Sensarma, IES, Senior Economic Adviser, MSDE; Smt. Shivakantamma Naik, Chairperson, KSDC; Shri Siddalingappa Pujari, MD, GTTC; Shri Sanjib Kumar Rout, Founder & President, C.V. Raman Global University;  Shri Prashant Sinha, COO, NSDC; Shri Rajesh Swaika, CFO, NSDC; Shri Alok B Shriram, Board Member, NSDC; Shri Jagdish Mitra, Board Member, NSDC; Shri Nitin Kapoor, VP, NSDC; Shri Mahendra Singh Payaal, EVP, NSDC; Shri Sanjeeva Singh, EVP, NSDC; along with senior officials from the Ministry and NSDC, industry leaders, and partners from academia and the skilling ecosystem. Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit driving India’s skilling ecosystem.

Top 10 Performing States