India Sends Largest-Ever 70-Member Team to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) held a send-off ceremony at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi for the Indian contingent heading to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. The 70-member team is India's largest ever at the competition and will compete across 63 skill categories at the 48th edition, scheduled in Shanghai, China, from 22 to 27 September 2026.

Speaking at the event, Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, described the team as a confident, creative and digitally agile generation prepared to compete with the world's best. He said India's entry into new-age skills reflects the growing depth of the country's skilling ecosystem, and that skilling is being taken to scale through competitions, Kaushal Mahotsavs and partnerships with states and industry. He added that India should aspire to host such global skill competitions in the future, and urged competitors to trust their training and compete without fear.

For the first time, India will field competitors in 11 new skill categories: 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. The expansion marks a shift beyond conventional trades into complex technologies, specialised services and next-generation industrial capabilities.

Also present were Kapil Dev Aggarwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Uttar Pradesh, and Ashish Sood, Delhi's Minister for Home, Education, Power, Urban Development, Higher Education, and Training & Technical Education. Aggarwal highlighted Uttar Pradesh's support for the Skill India Mission through training, entrepreneurship promotion and industry linkages, while Sood stressed the need for practical exposure and clear pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.

Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament and Chairman of Jindal Steel, which is the Official Merchandise Sponsor for the campaign, said India's young skill champions embody confidence, discipline and determination, and wished the competitors well.

The ceremony also saw the announcement of the first cohort of 16 members of the WorldSkills India Champions Club, which will bring together former competitors and medallists to mentor aspiring talent and promote skills.

Team India's preparations have drawn on support from state governments, Sector Skill Councils, training institutions, industry partners, experts and mentors, providing specialised facilities, equipment, simulations and international exposure. WorldSkills Shanghai will bring together more than 1,400 young competitors from over 60 countries and regions across 64 skill competitions.

India's record at international skill competitions has improved steadily, moving from 29th place in 2015 to 13th at WorldSkills Lyon 2024, where it won four Bronze Medals and 12 Medallions for Excellence. India also finished eighth in Asia at WorldSkills Asia 2025.