National pride builds as India flags off its first ever WorldSkills Asia team for the 2025 competition

Hon’ble Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary led the send off ceremony in Mumbai as 23 competitors and 21 experts prepare to represent India in 21 skill categories at the continental event in Chinese Taipei.

India marked an important chapter in its skills development journey as the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship organised the send off ceremony for the country’s first ever contingent participating in the WorldSkills Asia Competition 2025. The ceremony, held in Mumbai, brought together senior government representatives, officials, trainers and the competitors who will represent India on the continental stage in Chinese Taipei from 27 to 29 November. For India, this debut signals a significant step in positioning itself within the wider network of global skill excellence platforms and strengthens the country’s ambition to match international benchmarks across new age and traditional skills.
The event was led by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State in charge for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education. His role as Chief Guest set the tone for a ceremony that reflected both national pride and a strong commitment to preparing young talent for international standards. He was joined by Ms Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, whose presence underlined the institutional support behind the initiative. Senior officials including Gyan Bhushan, Senior Economic Advisor at MSDE, and actor Sudesh Berry added further encouragement for the competitors ahead of their departure.

The WorldSkills Asia Competition will see more than five hundred competitors from nearly forty Asian member and guest countries participate across thirty eight skill categories. India’s entry into this continental platform marks a new milestone for the Skill India Mission, which has aimed to create pathways for young professionals to test their abilities in global competitions. The Indian contingent comprises twenty three competitors and twenty one experts representing twenty one distinct skill areas. Their participation is facilitated by the National Skill Development Corporation which functions as the implementation and knowledge partner for WorldSkills India.
In his address, Shri Jayant Chaudhary spoke about the confidence the country has in its emerging skilled workforce. He described the competitors as a reflection of India’s rising strength in the global skills landscape and acknowledged the months of preparation undertaken by the candidates. He recognised the contributions of the Sector Skill Councils, industry mentors, training partners and officials who have worked with the competitors to prepare them for the international stage. He noted that the government remains committed to supporting talent that can contribute to India’s aspiration of becoming the Skill Capital of the World and emphasised the importance of collaboration, competition and learning.

The competitors will represent India across a mix of traditional and future oriented skills ranging from Digital and IT Technologies, Mobile Robotics, Mechatronics and CNC Milling to Web Development, Automotive Repair, Fashion Technology, Graphic Design and Beauty Therapy. These skills form part of a wider set of high demand sectors that continue to experience rapid change and global relevance. For India, showcasing talent in these areas provides an opportunity to highlight the country’s readiness for the future of work and its ability to compete among the region’s most skilled young professionals.
The selection of the Indian competitors followed a rigorous nationwide process anchored by the IndiaSkills Competition 2024. IndiaSkills is the country’s largest skill championship and serves as a pipeline for identifying the most capable individuals who can represent India in international competitions. Candidates who win medals at IndiaSkills progress to represent the nation across various WorldSkills chapters. This system ensures that participation at events such as WorldSkills Asia reflects a high level of discipline, technical capability and industry relevance.

During the send off ceremony, Ms Debashree Mukherjee emphasised the importance of India’s first participation in WorldSkills Asia. She stated that the moment marked a significant advancement in the country’s skilling movement and acknowledged the sustained efforts made to strengthen training and assessment frameworks under MSDE. She highlighted the role of global standards in shaping the preparation of the competitors and encouraged the team to uphold excellence, determination and professionalism during the competition.
The twenty three candidates who form the contingent have trained intensively under the guidance of industry experts and institutions known for their technical leadership. Over the past five months, the candidates worked with several partners that contributed facilities, equipment and mentorship to refine their skills. Training support came from JK Cement, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, LTA Academy of Beauty, Mahindra University, Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration and Iraj Evolution Design Company Limited. These organisations provided advanced labs, simulators, coaching and real world practice environments that helped the competitors build precision and confidence. The combination of industry knowledge and hands on training ensured that the team could meet the standards expected at the continental level.

To further strengthen their preparation, WorldSkills India under NSDC conducted a four day readiness programme covering team building, psychometric evaluations, communication training, neurotherapy and mindfulness sessions. Competitors also received guidance on nutrition, wellness, travel preparedness and mental resilience. The approach aimed at equipping candidates with the ability to perform under pressure while maintaining focus and teamwork. The inclusion of art and music therapy added a supportive dimension to the overall readiness plan.
India’s participation in the WorldSkills Asia Competition demonstrates the country’s commitment to global engagement and skill competitiveness. Under the Skill India Mission, MSDE and NSDC have built structures that support international benchmarking, expert engagement and competitor development. The involvement of a wide network of mentors, academic partners and industry bodies further strengthens this ecosystem, ensuring that Indian candidates receive exposure to international practices and evolving standards.

As the team prepares to represent India in Chinese Taipei, the send off ceremony stands as a moment of pride for the country’s skilling fraternity. It reflects the collective effort of ministries, institutions, trainers and industry bodies who have worked together to position India on a larger global stage. For the young competitors, the opportunity marks the culmination of years of effort and an opening to showcase their abilities in a setting that brings together the best talent across Asia.