India Sends 15 Skilled Youth to Australia for Global Skills Challenge Ahead of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026
The 30-member Indian contingent comprises 15 competitors and 15 experts who will participate in the international skills simulation event from June 23 to 29, 2026.
The 30-member Indian contingent comprises 15 competitors and 15 experts who will participate in the international skills simulation event from June 23 to 29, 2026.
New Delhi: In a significant step towards strengthening India’s global skills competitiveness, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) on Sunday flagged off Team India for the Global Skills Challenge (GSC) 2026 in Australia, a key preparatory event ahead of the WorldSkills Competition scheduled to be held in Shanghai, China, later this year.
The 30-member Indian contingent comprises 15 competitors and 15 experts who will participate in the international skills simulation event from June 23 to 29, 2026. Organised by WorldSkills Australia, the Global Skills Challenge is designed to replicate the actual conditions of the WorldSkills Competition, providing participants with a realistic international competitive environment.
The event will feature four days of intensive skill contests across multiple disciplines, with assessments conducted through the globally recognised Competition Information System (CIS). Nearly 600 competitors, experts, translators and officials from WorldSkills member nations are expected to participate.
Addressing the contingent before departure, Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said the challenge represents an important opportunity for Team India to gain international exposure, refine their technical capabilities and prepare for the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai.
She encouraged participants to remain focused, learn from their mentors and make the most of the experience, adding that each competitor had already made the nation proud through their journey to the international stage.
Arunkumar Pillai, Chief Executive Officer of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), highlighted the rigorous selection process through which the competitors had earned their place in Team India. He described the Global Skills Challenge as the final major milestone before Shanghai and urged participants to remain disciplined, trust their training and strive for excellence.
Senior officials from MSDE and NSDC, including Manisha Sensarma, Senior Economic Advisor, and Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, were present during the send-off ceremony.
India will compete in 15 skill categories, including 3D Digital Game Art, Additive Manufacturing, Automobile Technology, Beauty Therapy, Bricklaying, Cloud Computing, Floristry, Graphic Design Technology, Hairdressing, Health and Social Care, Industrial Mechanics, Painting and Decorating, Restaurant Service, Wall and Floor Tiling, and Web Technologies.
The competition is expected to provide Indian participants with valuable exposure to international standards, advanced technologies, and evolving industry practices. It will also offer a platform to benchmark their performance against some of the world’s best young professionals and skilled practitioners.
Officials believe the experience gained in Australia will enhance Team India’s preparedness for the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai and strengthen the country’s prospects on the global stage.
India’s participation in the Global Skills Challenge aligns with the broader objectives of the Skill India Mission, which seeks to develop a future-ready workforce and position India as a leading contributor to the global skills ecosystem through high-quality training, industry partnerships and international benchmarking.
