The IndiaSkills Competition 2024, the nation’s largest skill competition showcasing the highest standards of expertise, began from May 15, 2024 and will continue until May 19, 2024. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) hosted an inauguration ceremony at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, featuring over 900 candidates from more than 30 states and Union Territories, along with 400+ industry experts.
During the competition, participants will showcase their diverse skills and talent on a national platform across 61 skills – from traditional crafts to advanced technologies. Of these, 47 skill competitions will be held onsite, while 14 will take place offsite in Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, leveraging the best available infrastructure. Additionally, participants will engage in 9 exhibition skills, including Drone Filmmaking, Textile Weaving, Leather Shoemaking, and Prosthetic Makeup. The event is being implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of MSDE.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE said that, “The IndiaSkills 2024 is not just a competition; it is a celebration of skill, innovation, and determination. It is a testament to the boundless potential of our youth and their ability to shape the future of our nation. It is a platform where dreams are realised, and aspirations are nurtured.” He further said that he is confident about the capabilities of the candidates and is hopeful that they will excel in WorldSkills 2024.
Over the next three days, participants will compete in a wide range of skills, from Construction and Building Technology and Creative Arts and Fashion to Information and Communication Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, and Transportation and Logistics. The event will culminate with a grand closing ceremony on May 19th.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO NSDC, MD NSDCI said that, “IndiaSkills is not just a competition; it’s a platform that nurtures aspirations and fosters creativity. Through its implementation, NSDC not only propels us to the forefront but also paves the path toward a more inclusive society. Alongside WorldSkills competitions, IndiaSkills plays a pivotal role in fostering equality by generating opportunities for interaction among candidates, industry leaders, education partners, governments, and partner countries.”
Winners of IndiaSkills, guided by top industry trainers, will prepare for the WorldSkills Competition set to take place in Lyon, France, in September 2024. This global event will gather 1,500 competitors from over 70 countries. Early trends suggest that India is likely to win medals in automobile, hospitality, mechatronics, and water technology categories at WorldSkills.
Approximately 2.5 lakh candidates registered for the competition on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) Portal, from which 26,000 were shortlisted through a pre-screening process. This data was then shared with the states for organizing the state and district level competitions, resulting in over 900 students being further shortlisted for the IndiaSkills National competition.
This year, IndiaSkills is supported by more than 400 industry and academic partners, including Toyota Kirloskar, Autodesk, JK Cement, Maruti Suzuki, Lincoln Electric, NAMTECH, Vega, L’Oréal, Schneider Electric, Festo India, Artemis, Medanta, and Cygnia Healthcare.
This year, participants will have the opportunity to earn credits within the National Credit Framework (NCrF). All skills demonstrated in both the WorldSkills and IndiaSkills Competitions are carefully aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), enabling participants to creditize their learning outcomes and pursue successful careers in their chosen fields. Additionally, for the first time, IndiaSkills has implemented a competition information system called Qrencia.
