India to Compete in 11 New Skills at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026
India will compete in 11 new skills at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, with Team Skill India participating in 63 of 64 categories.
The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, September 9, 2026: India is expanding its presence at the global skills arena with participation in 11 skill categories for the first time at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, scheduled to take place in Shanghai, China, from September 22 to 27.
Team Skill India will compete in 63 of the 64 skills at the international competition, with nearly 70 competitors representing the country.
India’s debut categories at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 include:
The wider participation reflects the expansion of India’s skill development ecosystem beyond conventional trades into emerging technologies, specialised services, digital industries and advanced industrial sectors.
The newly added disciplines cover several areas expected to shape employment and industry demand in the coming years.
They include healthcare-related technologies, drone systems, digital design, intelligent security, advanced manufacturing, mobility, software quality and customer-focused services.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is overseeing India’s participation, while the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is coordinating preparations with industry, training organisations and technical experts.
Specialised institutions and companies are contributing to India’s preparations in the new categories.
The participating ecosystem includes Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC), Karnataka; Metrowoods Landscape; NAMTECH, Gandhinagar; Bennett University; Croma; Titan Company Ltd – Tanishq; Shoppers Stop; Reliance Trends; SANY Heavy Industry India Pvt. Ltd.; Prakhar Software Solutions Ltd.; and Denexpert Dental Lab, among others.
MSDE Secretary Debashree Mukherjee said India’s entry into these new disciplines demonstrates the country’s shift towards skills that are internationally relevant and aligned with the future of work.
India has steadily improved its position in international skills competitions.
The country was ranked 29th at WorldSkills in 2015, before moving up to 13th in 2024. India also secured 8th position in Asia at WorldSkills Asia 2025 and won five medals at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026.
The latest expansion at WorldSkills Shanghai is expected to provide Indian competitors with exposure to global benchmarks and emerging industry practices.
The 11 disciplines represent a wide range of technical and professional capabilities.
Intelligent Security Technology involves the installation and maintenance of smart security infrastructure using technologies such as AI-enabled surveillance and intelligent sensors.
Landscape Gardening combines design, construction and environmental knowledge to develop functional and sustainable outdoor spaces.
Optoelectronic Technology brings together light and electrical technologies, with applications in areas such as healthcare, communications and advanced manufacturing.
Digital Interactive Media Design focuses on developing immersive digital experiences by combining design, content and emerging technologies.
Retail Sales emphasises customer interaction, product knowledge, merchandising and service quality.
Heavy Vehicle Technology requires advanced expertise in vehicle diagnostics, servicing and repairs.
Unmanned Aerial Systems covers drone technologies and their growing applications in agriculture, infrastructure, monitoring and public services.
Dental Prosthetics involves producing specialised dental devices, including crowns, implants and dentures, requiring precision and healthcare expertise.
Industrial Mechanics focuses on the assembly, maintenance and troubleshooting of industrial machinery.
Software Testing is centred on checking software quality, reliability and performance through systematic testing and validation.
Aircraft Maintenance involves inspection, servicing, troubleshooting and certification of aircraft systems to meet strict safety and airworthiness requirements.
The government is using the Skill India Mission to build a broader international competition ecosystem through industry collaboration, expert mentoring, structured preparation and overseas exposure.
India’s participation across 63 skills, including 11 new categories, marks another step towards positioning Indian skilled professionals on international platforms and strengthening the country’s pool of globally benchmarked talent.
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