WorldSkills Shanghai saw India finish in 10th place at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, which concluded in Shanghai, China, on September 27, 2026. Team India won six silver medals and received 20 Medals for Excellence at the international skills competition. The result marks India’s first entry into the top 10 at the WorldSkills Competition.

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India Reaches the Top 10

India’s 10th-place finish represents an improvement from its 13th position at WorldSkills Lyon 2024. The latest result came after Indian competitors took part in a wide range of technical and vocational skills in Shanghai.

The 2026 competition brought together about 1,400 young competitors from nearly 70 countries and regions. They competed across 64 skill areas during four days of competition. The event was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai from September 22 to 27.

The competition gives young skilled professionals an international platform to demonstrate practical abilities in areas linked to technology, industry, services and creative work.

Six Silver Medals for India

India’s six silver medals came from different skill categories, showing the range of areas in which the Indian team competed.

Smriti Nambiar won silver in Bakery, while Mohammed Salam secured silver in Dental Prosthetics. Kovid Ajay Gangrade won silver in Digital Interactive Media Design, and Parth Vohra took silver in Industrial Design Technology.

The other two silver medals came from Mehrunissa Begum in Logistics and Freight Forwarding and Saniya Joshi in Retail Sales.

Smriti Nambiar also received the Best of Nation recognition for India. WorldSkills awards this recognition to the competitor from each participating country or region whose performance best represents excellence during the competition.

India’s Largest WorldSkills Team

India sent its largest-ever contingent to the 2026 WorldSkills Competition, with 70 competitors participating across 63 skills. The team also entered several skill categories for the first time.

Three of India’s six silver medals came in disciplines in which the country was making its debut at this edition: Dental Prosthetics, Digital Interactive Media Design and Retail Sales.

The expansion into new skill areas is part of a wider shift in the competition, with technology and emerging occupations playing a larger role. WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 included new and developing areas alongside established trades.

What Is the WorldSkills Competition?

The WorldSkills Competition is a major international event focused on practical and vocational skills. It is held every two years and brings together young professionals and skilled competitors from different countries and regions.

Competitors work under time limits and international standards in their respective skills. Depending on the discipline, participants may need to design, build, repair, prepare or manage projects using professional tools and techniques.

The competition covers areas ranging from construction and manufacturing to digital technology, hospitality, personal services, transportation and creative skills.

The 2026 edition featured 64 skill competitions. WorldSkills said the Shanghai event brought together competitors from nearly 70 countries and regions, with the closing ceremony held on September 27.

New Skills and Technology at Shanghai

Technology played an important role at WorldSkills Shanghai. The event included skills linked to digital systems, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.

India’s participation in new categories such as unmanned aerial systems and intelligent security technology reflects the changing nature of technical work. These areas require a combination of practical knowledge, digital skills, problem-solving and the ability to work with modern equipment.

The WorldSkills Conference held alongside the competition also focused on the future of skills, technical and vocational education and training, and the relationship between skills and changing industry needs. WorldSkills also released research in Shanghai examining how skills competitions can contribute to the development of vocational education systems.

India’s Progress Since WorldSkills Lyon

India’s 10th-place finish in Shanghai is higher than its 13th-place position at WorldSkills Lyon 2024. The improvement also comes with a larger medal haul.

The Indian team at Lyon 2024 won four bronze medals and 12 Medals for Excellence. In Shanghai, India increased its medal count to six silver medals and 20 Medals for Excellence.

The change reflects India’s wider participation across skill categories and the preparation of competitors for international standards.

Skills and India’s Workforce

The WorldSkills results come at a time when technical skills are becoming increasingly important as industries adopt automation, artificial intelligence, digital systems and advanced manufacturing.

Skills competitions provide a way for young professionals to demonstrate abilities that are directly connected with workplace activities. They also allow countries to compare training systems and identify areas where vocational education can be strengthened.

WorldSkills’ Shanghai programme included discussions about how skills can support economic development and prepare workers for changing industries. Its newly approved Vision 2035 also focuses on increasing the value placed on skills and skilled professionals over the coming decade.

Shanghai Hands Over to Aichi

The closing ceremony of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 also looked ahead to the next edition. The WorldSkills flag was formally handed over to representatives of Japan, which will host WorldSkills Aichi 2028.

The Shanghai event therefore ended with India recording its first top-10 finish while the international WorldSkills community began preparing for the next competition.

For India, the six silver medals and 20 Medals for Excellence in Shanghai add to the country’s recent focus on technical training, vocational education and emerging skills. The participation of 70 competitors across 63 skills also gives the country a wider base for future international skills competitions.