WorldSkills Shanghai 2026: India Finishes 10th With Six Silver Medals

The Indian delegation placed tenth in the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition, making it their best performance till date in the global skills competition, having bagged six silver medals and 20 Medals for Excellence. It was an improvement from their 13th position at WorldSkills Lyon 2024, when the Indian contingent had secured four bronze medals and 12 Medals for Excellence. WorldSkills Competition #48 was hosted in Shanghai, China, where the competitions took place from September 23 to 26, with the closing ceremony on September 27. India had sent its largest-ever delegation of 70 contestants in 63 skills.

India Wins Six Silver Medals

All the six silver medals of India have been in the field of creative, technical and service-oriented skills.

In addition to the medal, Smriti Nambiar, who won the silver medal in Bakery, was awarded the title of India’s Best of Nation.

It was significant that India participated for the first time in several such disciplines. India made its first appearance in 11 emerging skill categories at Shanghai, which include Dental Prosthetics, Digital Interactive Media Design, Intelligent Security Technology, Landscape Gardening, Optoelectronic Technology, Retail Sales, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Software Testing and Aircraft Maintenance.

Medals for Excellence – What Are They?

In addition to medals, WorldSkills recognizes competitors who attain a certain standard of professionalism with Medals for Excellence.

India has bagged 20 Medals for Excellence at Shanghai. These medals included fields like mechatronics, autonomous mobile robotics, Industry 4.0, additive manufacturing, robot systems integration, automobile technology, chemical laboratory technology, jewelry, fashion technology, and health and social care.

According to WorldSkills, these medals are an appreciation of competitors demonstrating world-class standards in their respective skills.

India’s Success at WorldSkills

In 2007, India became a member of the WorldSkills International Organization. Since then, its presence and success have been increasing with each edition of the organization. According to the WorldSkills record, India’s team increased from 16 participants in 15 skills in London 2011 to 70 participants in 63 skills in Shanghai 2026.

The number of India’s participants also increased from 48 in 44 skills in Kazan 2019 to 60 in 52 skills in Lyon 2024 and 70 in 63 skills in Shanghai 2026.

WorldSkills Shanghai 2026: India’s Growing List of Skills

India had representation in a wide variety of trades in Shanghai, including traditional technical skills to modern-day digital technology and service skills.

The 11 categories added to the growing list. As per WorldSkills, there were 64 skill competitions held in Shanghai, out of which 63 qualified for participation requirements, while Logistics and Freight Forwarding was the last edition to be held in accordance with the competition organiser.

About 1,400 contestants from more than 70 countries participated in the competition.