Lucknow/Agra: The North Regional round of IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26 has commenced in Agra, bringing together more than 360 participants from five northern states and four Union Territories to showcase their technical abilities across 41 skill trades.
The competition is being organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship as part of ongoing efforts to promote skill development and provide young professionals with opportunities to demonstrate their expertise at national and international platforms.
The colourful inaugural ceremony was held on March 11 evening, where participants from different states presented cultural performances and took part in a ceremonial march past. Arun Kumar, Deputy Director General of the ministry, attended the opening as chief guest and encouraged participants, saying such competitions provide valuable opportunities for youth to learn, innovate and refine their talents.
A total of 30 participants from the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission are representing the state in 15 skill categories, including beauty therapy, plumbing and heating, hairdressing, fashion technology, bricklaying, and refrigeration and air conditioning.
The four-day competition will conclude on March 14, when winners will be honoured at the closing ceremony. Kapil Dev Agarwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Uttar Pradesh, will attend the event as the chief guest and present awards to the winners.
The minister said the state government led by Yogi Adityanath is committed to equipping young people with modern skills to enhance employment and self-employment opportunities. He added that competitions like IndiaSkills help youth identify their talents and gain recognition at both national and global levels.
According to Pulkit Khare, Director of the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission, the event serves as an important platform to prepare talented youth for international competitions such as the WorldSkills Competition 2026. He noted that the regional competition not only tests the technical expertise of participants but also evaluates their innovation and skills according to global standards.
During the first phase of the event, participants were introduced to advanced equipment and technical processes related to their respective trades before the main competitions began. The event aims to strengthen India’s skilled workforce and prepare young professionals to compete on the global stage.
