India is set to expand its global skills footprint with first-time participation in eleven new skill categories at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, to be held in Shanghai, China, from 22 to 27 September 2026.
Team Skill India will participate in 63 out of 64 skills, with a contingent of nearly 70 competitors, making it one of India’s largest and most diverse representations at WorldSkills to date.
The eleven new skills in which India will compete for the first time are Dental Prosthetics, Digital Interactive Media Design, Intelligent Security Technology, Landscape Gardening, Optoelectronic Technology, Retail Sales, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Industrial Mechanics, Software Testing and Heavy Vehicle Technology, Aircraft Maintenance.
India’s participation in these new categories reflects the growing depth and maturity of the country’s skilling ecosystem, which is expanding from strong foundations in traditional trades to advanced technologies, specialised services, creative industries and next-generation industrial capabilities.
The participation is being led under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) driving India’s WorldSkills preparation through close collaboration with industry partners, training institutions and domain experts.
Speaking on India’s participation, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, said, “India’s participation in these new skills reflects the evolution of our skilling ecosystem towards future-facing and globally relevant capabilities. Through strong partnerships and rigorous preparation, we are enabling our youth to compete with confidence and benchmark themselves against global standards.”
The new categories represent emerging areas that are shaping the future of work, including healthcare technologies, digital design, intelligent systems, drone technologies, advanced manufacturing, mobility solutions and customer-centric services. Their inclusion underlines India’s focus on aligning skill development with global industry requirements and creating pathways for youth in internationally benchmarked skill domains.
Preparation for these first-time categories is being supported by a collaborative ecosystem of specialised training institutions and industry partners, including 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.
Brief on New 11 Skills India will participate at WorldSkills Competition 2026, Shanghai
Intelligent Security Technology focuses on planning, installing and maintaining intelligent systems that protect people, infrastructure and assets through technologies such as AI-enabled surveillance, intelligent sensors and automated response mechanisms.
Landscape Gardening brings together design, construction and environmental understanding to create sustainable and functional spaces that balance creativity with practical application.
Optoelectronic Technology represents a fast-growing field that combines the science of light and electricity and finds applications across advanced manufacturing, healthcare, communication systems and intelligent technologies.
Digital Interactive Media Design focuses on creating immersive and interactive digital experiences across platforms through the integration of design, content and emerging technologies.
Retail Sales reflects the growing importance of customer engagement and experience-led business models by emphasising product knowledge, communication, merchandising and service excellence.
Heavy Vehicle Technology highlights the increasing sophistication of mobility and industrial systems by requiring advanced diagnostic, repair and maintenance capabilities.
Unmanned Aerial Systems showcases the expanding role of drone technologies across sectors ranging from infrastructure and agriculture to public services, monitoring and emerging autonomous applications.
Dental Prosthetics focuses on designing and producing specialised dental devices like Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, Dentures that restore oral function and improve quality of life through precision and healthcare expertise.
Industrial Mechanics centres on precision assembly, maintenance, troubleshooting and optimisation of complex industrial machinery and production systems.
Software Testing plays a critical role in ensuring software quality, reliability and user performance through rigorous testing and validation processes.
Aircraft Maintenance centres on precision inspection, servicing, troubleshooting, and rigorous airworthiness certification of mechanical, electrical, fluid, and structural aircraft systems to guarantee absolute safety and regulatory compliance.
