Minister Jayant Chaudhary launches IndiaSkills 2025-26 NE Regional Competition in Assam

The IndiaSkills 2025-26 North East Regional Competition will be held from 19-22 January at Gauhati University, Assam, bringing together 162 talented youth from all eight North-Eastern states to compete across 26 skill categories. This marks the first time India’s premier skilling championship is being organised exclusively for the North-East, providing regional youth with easier access to national-level platforms and strengthening the local skilling ecosystem.

Shri Jayant Chaudhary , Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, inaugurated the four-day competition at B.K.B. Auditorium. Addressing participants, he said, “North-East youth are ready to lead India’s skilled workforce,” reflecting his confidence in the region’s talent and potential. He highlighted that bringing IndiaSkills closer to home aligns with the national vision of inclusive development and reducing logistical barriers for emerging regions.

Shri Chaudhary also emphasised the integration of vocational skills with formal education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, noting that such alignment expands opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning while preparing youth for a rapidly evolving economy.

The event is attended by Dr Nani Gopal Mahanta, Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University; Shri Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam; Ms Hena Usman, Joint Secretary of MSDE; and senior officials and stakeholders from the skilling ecosystem. Participants include students from Directorate General of Training (DGT) institutions such as ITIs and NSTIs, demonstrating growing synergy between vocational education and national-level competitions.

The competition spans a wide range of skill areas, including automobile technology, cloud computing, mobile application 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. It also highlights the increasing participation of women in technical trades and the convergence of digital, manufacturing, and service skills, aligning with Industry 4.0 and regional growth sectors such as tourism and hospitality.

IndiaSkills 2025-26 has seen record participation, with over 3.65 lakh candidates registering from 35 states and union territories across 63 skill categories through the Skill India Digital Hub. Winners of the North East Regional Competition will advance to the IndiaSkills National Competition, with top performers earning the chance to represent India at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai from 22–27 September 2026 .