Argus News - IndiaSkills 2025–26 Regional Competition (East) Begins in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Feb 27: Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary on Friday inaugurated the IndiaSkills 2025–26 Regional Competition (East) virtually being held at the Skill Development Institute (SDI) campus in Bhubaneswar, Offiicials said. The event will conclude on March 2.

Organized by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), the competition serves as a crucial gateway for participants to qualify for the national stage and ultimately represent India at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai later this year.

The Eastern regional contest has drawn 230 participants from six states and union territories — Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Contestants will compete across 37 skill categories, ranging from advanced fields such as 3D digital game art, cloud computing, and cybersecurity to service-oriented skills like beauty therapy, plumbing, and renewable energy.

Odisha leads the participation with 70 contestants, reflecting the state’s growing emphasis on skill development. Notably, 27 percent of the competitors are women, while 34 percent are ITI graduates, underscoring the diversity and inclusivity of the competition.

Speaking on the occasion, Odisha MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik emphasized the importance of skill-based education in shaping India’s workforce.

The SDI Bhubaneswar campus, built on 47 acres near Barunei Hills in Khordha district, has become a hub for skill training in Eastern India. Conceived under the initiative of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the institute now plays a pivotal role in India’s skill ecosystem.

Also Read: UK-Based Odia Entrepreneur Arun Kar Honoured for UN-Aligned Humanitarian Contributions

Following regional rounds in Guwahati, Gandhinagar, and Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar marks the final leg of the IndiaSkills regional competitions. Winners from all four regions will advance to the national contest, where the best will earn the honor of representing India at the WorldSkills 2026 in Shanghai, scheduled from September 22 to 27.

The competition is not only a test of technical ability but also a celebration of India’s youth potential. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized, the rise of Eastern India will be a cornerstone of national progress — and events like IndiaSkills are a step toward realizing that vision.