India secured the 10th position at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, winning six Silver Medals and 20 Medals for Excellence as the international skills competition concluded in Shanghai, China.
India improved its position from 13th at WorldSkills Lyon 2024, where it had won four Bronze Medals and 12 Medals for Excellence. The latest performance marks an improvement in India’s showing at the global skills competition and highlights the achievements of its young skilled professionals across a range of technical, digital, creative and service-sector disciplines.
The six Silver Medals were won by Smriti Nambiar in Bakery, Mohammed Salam in Dental Prosthetics, Kovid Ajay Gangrade in Digital Interactive Media Design, Parth Vohra in Industrial Design Technology, Mehrunissa Begum in Logistics and Freight Forwarding, and Saniya Joshi in Retail Sales.
Nambiar, who won the Silver Medal in Bakery, was also named Best of Nation for India.
India’s 20 Medals for Excellence were secured across technical, industrial, digital, creative and service-oriented skills. These medals are awarded to competitors who demonstrate a high level of professional proficiency against internationally established WorldSkills standards.
The six-day competition was held from September 22 to 27, bringing together more than 1,400 young competitors from around 70 countries and regions. India fielded its largest-ever contingent of 70 competitors across 63 skills, covering emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, engineering, creative industries and specialised services.
Following four days of intense competition from September 23 to 26, the winners were recognised at the closing ceremony in Shanghai on September 27. The event brought together competitors, international delegations, experts and industry representatives, with the competition focusing on technical proficiency, innovation, precision and craftsmanship.
Congratulating Team India, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary said the performance represented a significant step forward in India’s global skills journey.
“Team India’s remarkable performance at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, with 6 Silver Medals and 20 Medal for Excellence, marks a significant leap in our global skills journey,” Chaudhary said.
He said India’s young competitors had demonstrated growing strength and competitiveness and congratulated the competitors, experts, trainers and industry partners involved in the achievement. He added that the confidence, determination and excellence demonstrated by the participants on the international stage reinforced the government’s commitment to building a future-ready skilling ecosystem.
The Indian contingent underwent months of rigorous preparation, specialised training, mentorship and international benchmarking ahead of the competition.
India makes debut in 11 emerging skill categories
A major feature of India’s participation at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 was its debut in 11 new and emerging skill categories.
These included 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.
India’s participation in these specialised disciplines reflects the changing requirements of the country’s skilling ecosystem, with increasing emphasis on future-oriented occupations, emerging technologies and industry-driven competencies.
The competition also saw participation by young Indian women across a wide range of technical, creative and service-oriented disciplines. Women competitors represented India in areas including Chemical Laboratory Technology, Logistics and Freight Forwarding, Fashion Technology, Visual Merchandising, Health and Social Care and Hospitality.
WorldSkills experience to strengthen India’s skilling ecosystem
Manisha Sensarma, Official Delegate, WorldSkills India and Senior Economic Adviser, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said the competition provided Indian competitors and experts with exposure to evolving global occupational standards, new technologies and international best practices.
“WorldSkills is as much about learning as it is about competing,” Sensarma said, adding that the experience gained in Shanghai would help strengthen training methodologies, assessment standards and industry engagement in India’s broader skilling ecosystem.
India’s participation was coordinated by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, with support from Sector Skill Councils, industry partners, training institutions, technical experts and other stakeholders.
The international competition also provided Indian competitors and experts an opportunity to benchmark their skills against global standards and gain insights into emerging technologies and international practices.
India’s medal winners
Silver Medal winners:
Bakery: Smriti Nambiar
Dental Prosthetics: Mohammed Salam
Digital Interactive Media Design: Kovid Ajay Gangrade
Industrial Design Technology: Parth Vohra
Logistics and Freight Forwarding: Mehrunissa Begum
Retail Sales: Saniya Joshi
Medal for Excellence winners:
Intelligent Security Technology: Ragul Kanthamma Balraj
Mechatronics: Deepu Mudigerepalya Srinivasa and Jayanth Kariyappa
Mobile Applications Development: Arjun Sumathi Vijayabashkar
Electrical Installations: Dhanush Madhugiri Govindaraju
Plastering and Drywall Systems: Surenthiran Mani
Painting and Decorating: Muskan
Autonomous Mobile Robotics: Aditya Prakash and Debasish Panda
Cabinetmaking: Yashwanth Chary Keshoju
Jewellery: Joy Das
Beauty Therapy: Tahesin Sabir Sutar
Fashion Technology: Vidhi Niravkumar Suthar
Automobile Technology: Md Seraj
Car Painting: Kaif Khan
IT Network Systems Administration (ITNSA): Khushraj Nimesh Rathod
Graphic Design Technology: Rajeeb Lochan Chand
Health and Social Care: Vishnupriya Sunil
Industry 4.0: Mallinath and Suhan Mascarenhas
Chemical Laboratory Technology: Sampada Desai
Additive Manufacturing: Pavan Bhadravati Suresha
Robot Systems Integration: Abhishek Somanna Shignalli and Vinay Muttayya Hiremath
WorldSkills is the world’s leading international skills competition, bringing together young professionals from participating countries and regions to demonstrate excellence in vocational and technical skills. Held every two years, the competition promotes international standards, knowledge exchange and skilled career opportunities.
With its 10th-place finish in Shanghai, India’s latest performance highlights the growing participation of its young workforce in global skills competitions and the importance of continued investment in skill development, industry partnerships and international benchmarking.
