India Achieves 10th Rank at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 with Record Medal Haul
Team India secured 10th position at the 48th WorldSkills Competition held in Shanghai from 22–27 September 2026, marking a significant improvement from its 13th-place finish at WorldSkills Lyon 2024. The Indian contingent won 6 Silver Medals and 20 Medals for Excellence, surpassing the previous performance of 4 Bronze Medals and 12 Medals for Excellence achieved in 2024.
The Silver Medal winners were Smriti Nambiar in Bakery (also recognized as Best of Nation for India), 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. These achievements span creative, technical, and service-sector skills, reflecting the breadth of Indian talent.
India fielded its largest-ever contingent of 70 competitors who participated across 63 skills categories. A significant feature of this year's participation was India's debut in 11 new and emerging 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 competition brought together over 1,400 young competitors from approximately 70 countries and regions. India's participation was coordinated by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), with support from Sector Skill Councils, industry partners, training institutions, and technical experts.
Another notable highlight was the participation of young women across diverse technical, creative, and service-oriented categories. Women competitors represented India in skills ranging from Chemical Laboratory Technology and Logistics and Freight Forwarding to Fashion Technology, Visual Merchandising, Health and Social Care, and Hospitality, reflecting widening opportunities for women in vocational education.
Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, congratulated Team India on its performance, stating that it "marks a significant leap in our global skills journey" and demonstrates "the growing strength and competitiveness of India's skilled talent." Ms. Manisha Sensarma, Official Delegate of WorldSkills India and Senior Economic Adviser at MSDE, emphasized that the competition provided invaluable exposure to evolving global occupational standards, new technologies, and international best practices that can strengthen India's training and assessment ecosystem.
The Medal for Excellence winners spanned 20 skill categories including Intelligent Security Technology, Mechatronics, Mobile Applications Development, Electrical Installations, Plastering and Drywall Systems, Painting and Decorating, Autonomous Mobile Robotics, Cabinetmaking, Jewellery, Beauty Therapy, Fashion Technology, Automobile Technology, Car Painting, IT Network Systems Administration, Graphic Design Technology, Health and Social Care, Industry 4.0, Chemical Laboratory Technology, Additive Manufacturing, and Robot Systems Integration.