India to compete in 11 new skills at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

MUMBAI: India is adding more strings to its skills bow, taking its biggest-ever push into new-age vocational categories to the global stage at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

Team Skill India will compete in 63 of the 64 skills at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China, from September 22 to 27, with nearly 70 competitors. The participation will also mark India’s first appearance in 11 skill categories, widening its footprint beyond traditional trades into technology, healthcare, mobility, design and specialised services.

The 11 debut categories are 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 new additions reflect how the definition of a skilled job is changing. Dental Prosthetics focuses on precision devices such as crowns, implants and dentures, while Aircraft Maintenance involves inspection, servicing, troubleshooting and airworthiness certification across mechanical, electrical, fluid and structural systems.

Technology also takes centre stage. Intelligent Security Technology covers AI-enabled surveillance, intelligent sensors and automated response systems, while Unmanned Aerial Systems brings drone capabilities into the competition. Optoelectronic Technology combines light and electricity for applications spanning advanced manufacturing, healthcare, communications and intelligent systems.

The digital and customer-facing economy gets its own entries too. Digital Interactive Media Design covers immersive digital experiences, while Software Testing focuses on ensuring software quality, reliability and performance. Retail Sales puts the spotlight on customer engagement, product knowledge, merchandising and service.

On the industrial side, Industrial Mechanics involves precision assembly, maintenance, troubleshooting and optimisation of complex machinery, while Heavy Vehicle Technology requires advanced diagnostic, repair and maintenance capabilities. Landscape Gardening combines design, construction and environmental understanding to create functional and sustainable spaces.

The participation is being led by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) coordinating preparations alongside industry partners, training institutions and domain experts.

“India’s participation in these new skills reflects the evolution of our skilling ecosystem towards future-facing and globally relevant capabilities,” MSDE Secretary Debashree Mukherjee said, adding that partnerships and rigorous preparation were aimed at helping young competitors benchmark themselves against global standards.

The preparation for the new categories has involved specialised institutions and companies, 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.

India’s WorldSkills trajectory has also been moving upwards. The country was ranked 29th in 2015 before climbing to 13th in 2024. It subsequently secured 8th position in Asia at WorldSkills Asia 2025 and won five medals at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026.

The Shanghai campaign builds on the Skill India Mission’s preparation model of industry partnerships, expert mentoring, structured training and international exposure. With 63 categories on the competition slate, India is not merely sending more competitors to Shanghai, it is sending them into a much broader definition of what the future workforce can look like.