IndiaSkills Regional Competition 2025-2026
brings together youth from eight North-Eastern states across 26 skill
categories in Assam
Guwahati, Assam : Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education,
Government of India, inaugurated the IndiaSkills Regional Competition
2025–26 for the North-East today at Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam,
where youth from eight states of Northeast will be competing with each other
across 26 skills.
The Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), along with the National Skill Development
Corporation (NSDC) as its implementation partner, is bringing India’s premier
skilling championship to the North-Eastern region for the first time, providing
young talent from the region a valuable opportunity to participate in a
national-level skills competition closer to home.
The inauguration ceremony was
attended by Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta, Vice Chancellor, Gauhati
University, Shri Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, IAS, Principal Secretary to the
Govt. of Assam, Border Protection and Development Dept., Implementation of
Assam Accord Dept ,Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Department and
Labour Welfare Department and Ms. Hena Usman, Joint Secretary,
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Govt of India; along with
senior officials and key stakeholders from the skilling ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble
Minister highlighted that the Prime Minister’s sustained focus on the
North-East—evident through frequent visits and policy prioritisation—has
created renewed confidence and opportunity for the region’s youth. He noted
that initiatives such as IndiaSkills complement this vision by taking national
platforms directly to young talent in the region.
Shri Jayant Chaudhary said, “IndiaSkills
is not merely a competition; it is a celebration of excellence, discipline, and
the dignity of work. The North-East has immense talent and aspiration, and this
platform reflects our confidence that youth from this region are ready to lead
India’s skilled workforce and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s growth.”
The Hon’ble Minister also
emphasised the growing importance of integrating skilling with formal education
in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, noting that closer
alignment between education and skill development expands pathways for
employability, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning, while making young
people future-ready for a rapidly evolving economy.
Beyond the competition itself,
this regional event reflects the steady strengthening of the skilling ecosystem
in the North-Eastern Region under the Skill India Mission. Students from
Directorate General of Training (DGT) institutions, including Industrial
Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), are
participating across several skill categories, demonstrating the growing
alignment between long-term vocational education and national-level competitive
platforms.
The North East Regional
Competition has drawn 162 competitors from all eight North-Eastern states,
reflecting strong regional participation and diversity of talent. The competition
spans a diverse range of contemporary and traditional skill areas including
Automobile Technology, Cloud Computing, Mobile Applications Development,
Software and Web Technologies, Digital Interactive Media, Electronics, CNC
Milling and Turning, Welding, Electrical Installations, Fashion Technology,
Bakery and Patisserie, Hotel Reception, Restaurant Service, Health and Social
Care, Retail Sales, and Visual Merchandising.
The skill mix at the competition
highlights the increasing participation of women in core technical and
traditionally male-dominated trades such as Automobile Technology, Electronics,
CNC, Electrical Installations, and Welding. It also reflects a strong
convergence of digital skills with manufacturing and services, preparing youth
for Industry 4.0-linked roles. At the same time, the presence of hospitality,
health, and retail skills underscores the alignment of skilling efforts with
the North-East’s key growth sectors, particularly tourism and services. Platforms
such as IndiaSkills play a critical role in aligning regional talent with
industry demand and national development priorities.
The IndiaSkills competition
follows a structured, multi-tier evaluation process designed to identify and
nurture the best talent across the country. Candidates are first assessed at
the district level, followed by state-level competitions, after which short listed
participants advance to regional competitions. Top performers from the regional
stage qualify for the IndiaSkills National Competition, where they are
evaluated against national benchmarks, with select winners earning the
opportunity to represent India at WorldSkills Competition to be held in
Shanghai between September 22-27, 2026.