India has sent a 30-member contingent to Australia for the Global Skills Challenge 2026 as part of preparations for the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai.
New Delhi, June 21: As India steps up preparations for the 48th WorldSkills Competition scheduled to be held in Shanghai later this year, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) on Sunday flagged off Team India for the Global Skills Challenge (GSC) 2026 in Australia.
The 30-member Indian contingent, comprising 15 competitors and 15 experts, will represent the country at the international skills simulation event being held from June 23 to 29. The Global Skills Challenge is organised by WorldSkills Australia and serves as a key preparatory platform ahead of the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China.
Designed to replicate actual international competition conditions, the event allows participating countries to assess their preparedness, benchmark performance against global standards and gain valuable exposure before the world championship.
The competition will feature four full days of skill contests conducted using the internationally recognised Competition Information System (CIS), which is employed for evaluation and marking in WorldSkills events. Nearly 600 competitors, experts, translators and officials from WorldSkills member nations are expected to participate.
Speaking at the send-off ceremony, Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said the challenge offers an important opportunity for Indian competitors to gain international experience and strengthen their preparations for Shanghai.
“The Global Skills Challenge 2026 Australia is not merely a competition, but an important opportunity for Team India to gain international experience, sharpen their skills and prepare for the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai. Each one of them is already a champion for the country, and we are immensely proud of their journey,” she said.
Arunkumar Pillai, Chief Executive Officer of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), described the event as the final major test before the WorldSkills Competition.
He said the competitors had earned their place through a highly competitive selection process and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and determined as they prepare to compete on the global stage.
Senior officials of the ministry, including Manisha Sensarma, Senior Economic Advisor, and Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, along with representatives from MSDE and NSDC, were present during the send-off programme.
India will participate in 15 skill categories at the Global Skills Challenge. These include 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 disciplines cover a broad spectrum of advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, creative industries, construction trades and service-sector skills, reflecting the expanding scope of India’s skilling ecosystem.
Officials said participation in the challenge will help Indian competitors familiarise themselves with international evaluation systems and competition standards while providing practical experience in a high-pressure global environment.
The event is also expected to serve as an important benchmarking platform through interactions with leading competitors and experts from Europe, East Asia, Oceania and other participating regions. Exposure to advanced equipment, evolving industry requirements and diverse competition methodologies is expected to further strengthen Team India’s readiness for Shanghai.
The ministry said India’s participation in the Global Skills Challenge aligns with the broader objectives of the Skill India Mission, which seeks to build a future-ready workforce and enhance the country’s standing in the global skills ecosystem.
With structured training programmes, expert mentorship and industry partnerships supporting the competitors, Team India will look to use the Australian event as a crucial stepping stone in its pursuit of excellence at the WorldSkills Competition later this year.
