Guwahati: Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, on Monday highlighted that the prime minister’s sustained focus on the North-East – reflected through regular visits and policy attention – has created renewed confidence and opportunity for the region’s young population.
During the inauguration of the IndiaSkills Regional Competition 2025–26 for the North-East at Gauhati University, Guwahati, Chaudhary said that taking India’s premier skills platform to the region demonstrates a firm belief in the abilities of its youth and removes barriers that once prevented many from participating at a national level.
He described IndiaSkills as more than a contest, calling it a celebration of commitment, discipline, and the dignity of work. Chaudhary expressed confidence that competitors from the North-East are ready to take their place in India’s skilled workforce and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s growth story.
The minister stressed the growing integration of vocational training with mainstream education under the National Education Policy 2020, stating that alignment between classrooms and skill-building institutions expands pathways for employment, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning.
This regional competition marks the first time IndiaSkills has travelled to the North-East and is being organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, with the National Skill Development Corporation as implementation partner, according to an official statement.
A total of 162 participants from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura are competing across 26 skill categories, including cloud computing, mobile app development, welding, CNC milling and turning, automotive technology, electronics, fashion technology, bakery and patisserie, hospitality services, retail sales, digital media, visual merchandising and social care.
Officials noted that this year’s participation reflects a notable rise in women entering technical skill areas such as electronics, welding, CNC, and electrical installation, fields traditionally dominated by men. The competition also highlights how digital and Industry 4.0 skills are increasingly intersecting with manufacturing, hospitality, and service sectors – areas of growing economic importance in the North-East.
Candidates progress through district and state-level stages before advancing to regional rounds. Winners from Guwahati will move on to the IndiaSkills National Competition, where top performers may earn a place in the Indian contingent for WorldSkills 2026 in Shanghai, scheduled for September 22–27.
