THEBUSINESSBTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 27, 2026

 “The true strength of any nation lies in the potential of its youth. It is practical capability, innovation, and the confidence to apply one’s skills that drive meaningful progress. Every young person carries talent waiting to be discovered and nurtured. By strengthening our skilling ecosystem, we are not just preparing youth for livelihoods; we are empowering them to innovate, lead, and contribute to a stronger Odisha and a Viksit Bharat,” said Gokulananda Mallick, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for MSME; Fisheries and Animal Resource Development, Government of Odisha, as Eastern India’s largest celebration of vocational excellence began in the state capital.

Eastern India’s biggest showcase of skill, talent and technical excellence unfolded on Friday with the inauguration of the IndiaSkills Regional Competition 2025–26 for the East Region at the Skill Development Institute, Taraboi, Jatni, Bhubaneswar. Bringing together over 200 competitors from Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the four-day event will witness contests across 59 skill domains spanning traditional crafts and emerging technologies, reflecting the region’s expanding technical capabilities and aspirational workforce.

Organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and supported by the National Skill Development Corporation, the competition marks a key milestone in India’s effort to build a globally competitive, future-ready talent base. It serves as a regional gateway for top performers to advance to the national IndiaSkills Competition and potentially represent the country at international platforms such as WorldSkills International.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary emphasised the transformative role of youth-driven skills in India’s growth trajectory. “India’s growth story will be shaped by the immense potential of our youth and their ability to translate talent into excellence. IndiaSkills is nurturing a culture where vocational mastery is aspirational, competitive, and aligned with global benchmarks. The determination we witness in the Eastern Region reflects a confident, future-ready generation, disciplined, ambitious, and prepared to measure itself against the highest standards. I sincerely appreciate our industry partners whose active support strengthens the credibility and relevance of this competition, and I commend the organisers for bringing together talent from across the region. My best wishes to all the candidates and experts whose dedication and hard work truly embody the spirit of excellence. This collective commitment will power our journey towards a truly Viksit Bharat.”

IndiaSkills, the country’s premier national skill competition framework, has recorded one of its widest participation footprints in the 2025–26 cycle, with 3.65 lakh candidates registering from 35 states and Union Territories across 63 skill categories through the Skill India Digital Hub, underscoring the growing aspirational value of vocational excellence among India’s youth.

The Eastern Regional competition features 37 onsite skill contests with live demonstrations of technical proficiency, while 22 skills are being evaluated through offsite formats to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive assessment mechanism. The wide spectrum of disciplines highlights the convergence of traditional craftsmanship with advanced technologies, mirroring the evolving demands of industry and the services sector.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior dignitaries including Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Skill Development and Technical Education Department, Government of Odisha; Rashmita Panda, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha; Chanchal Rana, Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation; Chakravarti Singh Rathore, Director, Directorate of Technical Education and Training, Government of Odisha; Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar; Dr. Amiya Kumar Rath, Vice-Chancellor, Biju Patnaik University of Technology; Ranjan Bhowmik, Chief Executive Officer, Skill Development Institute, Taraboi; Sunil Kumar Gupta, DDG, MSDE, Government of India; and Naveen Kumar, Joint Director, MSDE, Government of India. The closing ceremony is scheduled for 2 March 2026.

With rapidly expanding industrial clusters, rising investments in manufacturing and services, and a growing technical education network, the Eastern Region is emerging as a strategic talent hub in India’s skilling ecosystem. The IndiaSkills Regional Competition 2025–26 not only showcases the depth and diversity of regional talent but also reinforces the role of skills as a source of pride, identity and opportunity for the nation’s youth, positioning eastern India at the forefront of the country’s journey towards a confident, skilled and globally competitive future.