India’s flagship skill competition, the IndiaSkills National Competition 2025–26, commenced with a grand opening ceremony at India Expo Centre and Mart, bringing together over 650 of the country’s most talented youth competing across 63 skill categories.
Organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and supported by the National Skill Development Corporation, the competition serves as a key initiative to promote excellence in vocational skills and build a future-ready workforce aligned with global benchmarks.
Participants have been selected as finalists from five regional competitions held nationwide, where thousands showcased their technical capabilities and discipline. The event represents a significant milestone in strengthening India’s skilling ecosystem and advancing its vision of becoming a developed nation.
Addressing the gathering, Debashree Mukherjee highlighted the importance of skill development, noting that while education imparts knowledge, skills provide purpose and practical application. She encouraged young participants to take pride in their abilities and emphasised the role of such platforms in preparing India’s contingent for the upcoming WorldSkills Competition Shanghai.
The competition spans a diverse range of domains—from traditional trades such as electrical installation and electronics to emerging fields including cybersecurity, autonomous mobile robotics, additive manufacturing, and unmanned aerial systems. Of the 63 categories, 43 are being conducted onsite, while the remaining 20 are evaluated through offsite formats.