New Delhi, September 9: India is set to broaden its presence at the global skills stage with participation in 11 new skill categories at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, scheduled to be held in Shanghai, China, from September 22 to 27, 2026.
Team Skill India will compete in 63 of the 64 skills at the international competition, with a contingent of nearly 70 competitors. The expanded participation is among India’s largest and most diverse representations at the WorldSkills event.
India Adds New-Age Skills to WorldSkills Campaign
The 11 categories in which India will participate for the first time cover a wide range of emerging technologies, specialised services and industrial capabilities.
These include 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 reflects the changing nature of the global workplace, with India increasingly focusing on skills linked to advanced technology, healthcare, digital industries, mobility, manufacturing and customer-oriented services.
The new categories also indicate a move beyond conventional trades towards specialised and future-focused skill domains.
Focus on Globally Relevant Skills
The new skill categories cover several areas expected to influence the future of work.
Intelligent Security Technology involves the use of technologies such as AI-enabled surveillance, intelligent sensors and automated response systems to protect people, infrastructure and assets.
Unmanned Aerial Systems focuses on drone technologies and their applications across areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, monitoring and public services.
Meanwhile, Optoelectronic Technology combines light and electricity and has applications in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, communications and intelligent systems.
The competition will also see Indian participants demonstrate capabilities in Software Testing, which is essential for ensuring software quality and reliability, and Digital Interactive Media Design, which brings together design, content and emerging technologies to create interactive digital experiences.
Healthcare, Mobility and Industrial Skills
India’s first-time participation also extends to specialised healthcare and industrial disciplines.
Dental Prosthetics focuses on precision work involved in producing dental devices such as crowns, implants and dentures.
Aircraft Maintenance requires expertise in inspecting, servicing and troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, fluid and structural aircraft systems while meeting strict safety and airworthiness requirements.
In Heavy Vehicle Technology, competitors will demonstrate advanced diagnostic, repair and maintenance capabilities for increasingly sophisticated mobility and industrial systems.
Industrial Mechanics will test skills related to precision assembly, machinery maintenance, troubleshooting and optimisation of complex production systems.
Retail and Landscape Skills Also Included
The new categories are not limited to technology and engineering.
Retail Sales will focus on customer interaction, product knowledge, merchandising, communication and service quality.
Landscape Gardening, meanwhile, combines design, construction and environmental knowledge to create functional and sustainable outdoor spaces.
The inclusion of these disciplines highlights the broad spectrum of skills required across modern economies and reflects the growing importance of both technical and service-oriented capabilities.
Industry and Training Institutions Support Preparation
India’s participation is being led under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) coordinating WorldSkills preparation.
Training institutions, industry partners and subject-matter experts are supporting competitors through specialised preparation, mentoring and structured training.
Among the organisations supporting preparations in the new categories are 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 participation in the new categories reflects the evolution of the country’s skilling ecosystem towards future-oriented and globally relevant capabilities.
She emphasised that partnerships and rigorous preparation are being used to help Indian youth compete internationally and benchmark their skills against global standards.
India’s Performance at WorldSkills Improves
India’s participation at international skills competitions has strengthened over the years.
The country was ranked 29th at WorldSkills in 2015 and improved to 13th position in 2024.
India also secured 8th position in Asia at WorldSkills Asia 2025 and won five medals at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026.
The progression reflects the country’s growing emphasis on structured skills training, international exposure and industry-linked preparation.
Skill India Targets Global Talent Recognition
Under the Skill India Mission, India is developing a preparation ecosystem built around industry partnerships, expert mentoring, structured training and exposure to international standards.
The expanded participation at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is being viewed as another step towards strengthening India’s position in the global skilled workforce.
With competitors entering 11 new categories for the first time, India’s representation in Shanghai will showcase capabilities spanning advanced technology, healthcare, manufacturing, mobility, digital design and service industries.
The competition will provide Indian participants with an opportunity to test their abilities against skilled competitors from around the world while gaining international exposure in rapidly evolving areas of work.
