Competition Begins Today at World Skills Shanghai 2026

Competition began today at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, with Team India’s largest-ever contingent of 70 young competitors taking to the competition floor across 63 skill categories. The four-day competition follows the Opening Ceremony held yesterday evening, where Team India participated in the Parade of Nations alongside contingents from across the world.

The Opening Ceremony at the Shanghai World Expo Cultural Center brought together nearly 1,400 competitors from more than 65 countries and regions. Carrying the national flag and dressed in Team India colours, the Indian contingent marched into the arena to resounding cheers, marking the formal start of the 48th WorldSkills Competition.

The 48th WorldSkills Competition officially opened in Shanghai, with Chinese President Xi Jinping sending a congratulatory letter to the event, which was read out at the opening ceremony. Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the ceremony and formally declared the competition open, marking the beginning of the global skills competition that brings together young talent from across the world.

The Indian delegation leadership present at the ceremony included Ms. Manisha Sensharma, Official Delegate, WorldSkills India and Senior Economic Adviser, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Shri Dilip Kumar, Director General, DGT and CEO, National Skill Organization (NSO). They joined competitors, experts and mentors in supporting Team India as the global competition commenced.

Dilip Kumar, Director General, DGT National Skill Organization (NSO) said that, “Our competitors have reached Shanghai after months of intensive technical preparation, repeated simulations and close mentoring by experts and industry partners. We are also happy to share that out of 70 candidates; 14 candidates are from our Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). The focus now is on precision, composure and consistent performance over the four competition days. The entire delegation stands firmly behind Team India”.

Ms. Manisha Sensharma, Official Delegate, WorldSkills India and Senior Economic Adviser, MSDE, said, “Watching Team India march at the Opening Ceremony was a moment of immense pride. Each of our 70 competitors represents the aspirations of a skilled and confident India. As the competition begins today, they have the opportunity to benchmark their capabilities against the world’s best, learn from global peers and demonstrate the depth of talent emerging from India’s skilling ecosystem.”. (UPDATED ON 23RD SEPTEMBER 2026)