Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, Shri Jayant Chaudhary,  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 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 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 shortlisted 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.

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