New Delhi: India is set to make its debut in 11 new skill categories at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China, as the country expands its participation in advanced technology, specialised services and emerging industrial skills.
The competition will be held from September 22 to 27, 2026, with Team Skill India participating in 63 of the 64 skills and sending a contingent of nearly 70 competitors.
11 New Skills to Make India Debut
The new categories span healthcare, digital technologies, intelligent systems, manufacturing, aviation, mobility and customer-facing services.
Read Also: TDB Backs 3D-Printed Bone Grafts to Advance India’s Indigenous Medical Technology
India will compete for the first time in:
- 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
- Aircraft Maintenance
The expanded participation reflects the diversification of India’s skilling ecosystem beyond traditional trades towards advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies and globally relevant service-sector skills.
Industry Partners Support Team Skill India
The participation is being led by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) coordinating preparations in partnership with training institutions, industry and domain experts.
Secretary, MSDE, Debashree Mukherjee, said the new skills demonstrate the evolution of India’s skilling ecosystem towards future-oriented and globally relevant capabilities. She added that partnerships and rigorous preparation are helping Indian youth compete against international standards.
Institutions and companies supporting preparation include:
- Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC), Karnataka
- NAMTECH, Gandhinagar
- Bennett University
- Croma
- Titan Company Ltd – Tanishq
- Shoppers Stop
- Reliance Trends
- SANY Heavy Industry India Pvt. Ltd.
- Prakhar Software Solutions Ltd.
- Denexpert Dental Lab
- Metrowoods Landscape
India Improves WorldSkills Ranking
India’s performance at international skill competitions has improved over the past decade. The country moved from 29th position in 2015 to 13th in 2024 at WorldSkills.
It subsequently secured 8th position in Asia at WorldSkills Asia 2025 and won five medals at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026.
The expanded participation in Shanghai is part of the Skill India Mission’s efforts to strengthen industry-linked training, expert mentoring and international exposure for Indian competitors.
Read Also: NSDC, Cultus Education Launch Cloud and AI Skilling Drive for 1.5 Lakh Youth Across India
