India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has fielded its largest-ever contingent of 70 young competitors at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, now underway in Shanghai. The four-day competition began on 23 September 2026 after the Opening Ceremony the previous evening, where Team India marched alongside nearly 1,400 competitors from more than 65 countries and regions. The competition will run until 26 September, with the Closing Ceremony scheduled for 27 September.
Key facts
- Team India has 70 competitors competing across 63 skill categories
- Fourteen of the 70 competitors are from India’s Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
- India is competing in 11 new skill areas for the first time: Dental Prosthetics, Digital Interactive Media Design, Intelligent Security Technology, Landscape Gardening, Optoelectronic Technology, Retail Sales, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Industrial Mechanics, Software Testing, Heavy Vehicle Technology and Aircraft Maintenance
- Competition runs from 23 to 26 September 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai
- Nearly 1,400 competitors from over 65 countries and regions are participating
- Ms. Manisha Sensharma is the Official Delegate from India; Shri Dilip Kumar is Director General of the Directorate General of Training and CEO of the National Skill Organization
- At WorldSkills Lyon 2024, India won four bronze medals and 12 Medallions for Excellence
What is WorldSkills?
WorldSkills International organises this global competition every two years to assess vocational education, training and skills excellence among young professionals. It serves as a platform for competitors to demonstrate technical expertise, precision, creativity, craftsmanship and innovation while measuring themselves against international standards. The competition attracts the best young skilled workers from around the world.
India’s expanded participation this year
India’s contingent represents a significant expansion compared to previous competitions. The inclusion of 11 new skill categories reflects the broadening scope of India’s skilling ecosystem and the country’s focus on emerging technical areas. These new categories span sectors ranging from healthcare and technology to aviation and retail, indicating a deliberate effort to demonstrate capability across diverse industries.
The competitors have undergone months of rigorous preparation, including intensive technical training, repeated simulations and close mentoring by industry experts. The support system included State Governments, Sector Skill Councils, training institutions and industry partners. The selection of 14 competitors from ITIs highlights the quality of vocational training being delivered through India’s formal institutes.
Preparation and performance expectations
According to Shri Dilip Kumar, Director General of the Directorate General of Training, the focus during competition is on precision, composure and consistent performance. The delegation has emphasised that competitors are well-prepared after months of specialised training and international-standard preparation. The entire Indian delegation has committed to supporting the team throughout the four days of competition.
Ms. Manisha Sensharma, the Official Delegate from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, described the Opening Ceremony march as a moment of pride, noting that each competitor represents the aspirations of a skilled India. She highlighted that participation offers an opportunity for competitors to benchmark their capabilities against the world’s best, learn from global peers and demonstrate the depth of emerging talent in India’s skilling sector.
Building on past success
India aims to build on its performance at WorldSkills Lyon 2024, where the country secured four bronze medals and 12 Medallions for Excellence. The Shanghai competition offers another opportunity for India’s young professionals to test their abilities at the highest international level and showcase the discipline and readiness of the country’s skilled workforce.
What this means for you
If you are a student considering vocational training, this competition demonstrates the calibre of Indian skilling programmes and the global recognition they can achieve. For those already in ITIs or sector-specific training, India’s success at WorldSkills validates the quality of vocational education available domestically. The expansion into new skill categories also signals growing opportunities in emerging fields such as unmanned aerial systems, digital media design and intelligent security technology.
What happens next
Competitions continue until 26 September, with the Closing Ceremony on 27 September. WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 also includes a WorldSkills Expo and Conference, bringing together policymakers, educators and industry leaders to discuss the future of technical and vocational education and workforce development.