New Delhi, 19th May 2024.

The four-day long IndiaSkills National Competition 2024 concluded on Sunday with great fervor and enthusiasm at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka. The event, held from 15th to 19th May, brought together the brightest young minds from across the nation to compete and demonstrate their proficiency in a wide array of traditional and new-age skills. A total of 58 candidates across 52 skills will now train to represent India in WorldSkills scheduled to take place in Lyon, France in September 2024.

Odisha has the highest number of winners with 17 Gold, 13 Silver, 9 Bronze and 12 Medallion for Excellence, followed by Karnataka (13 Gold, 12 Silver, 3 Bronze, and 19 Medallion for Excellence), Tamil Nadu (6 Gold, 8 Silver, 9 Bronze, and 17 Medallion for Excellence), Maharashtra (3 Gold, 5 Silver, 6 Bronze, and 14 Medallion for Excellence), Uttar Pradesh (3 Gold, 3 Silver, 6 Bronze, and 16 Medallion for Excellence), Delhi (5 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze, and 10 Medallion for Excellence), Rajasthan (2 Gold, 5 Silver, 3 Bronze, and 9 Medallion for Excellence), Haryana (2 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze, and 13 Medallion for Excellence), Madhya Pradesh (1 Gold, 2 Silver, 4 Bronze, and 11 Medallion for Excellence), and Bihar (3 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze, and 6 Medallion for Excellence).

The closing ceremony was graced by Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; Padmashri Shri Ramesh Sippy, Indian Filmmaker and Chairman, Media and Entertainment Sector Skill Council; Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi, Chairman, National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET); Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International, and Shri Aparshakti Khurana; Renowned Indian Actor, Writer, Singer, RJ.

A total of 900+ candidates from 30+ states and Union Territories participated in 61 skills including Wall and Floor Tiling, Bricklaying, Carpentry, Fashion Technology, 3D Digital Game Art, Cloud Computing, Mobile Applications Development, Autonomous Mobile Robotics, Health and Social Care, and Prosthetic & Makeup. More than 400 industry experts also took part in the event. Winners of previous WorldSkills also guided the competitors in understanding the nuances of the trade.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE said, “Today, as we conclude IndiaSkills 2024, I am reminded of the exhilarating journey we have experienced, greatly supported and guided by MSDE and NSDC. I must say, the competition’s design and execution were not only meticulous but also deeply appreciated by participants, mentors, industry professionals, and the public alike. With over 2,50,000 applications, an expanded range of trades, and a notable increase in female participation, the scale of IndiaSkills 2024 is unprecedented. Yesterday, when I met the young participants, many of whom come from different backgrounds, I was struck by their skill, enthusiasm, and meticulous attention to detail across both traditional and new-age categories. I commend the efforts of our colleagues at MSDE and NSDC in organizing such a spectacular event and selecting the best talent to represent India on the global stage.”

Throughout the competition, participants were rigorously evaluated by jury members and industry experts, who meticulously assessed their technical skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. The rigorous process ensured that only the most deserving contenders emerged victorious in each category, reflecting the high standards upheld by IndiaSkills in promoting excellence in vocational education and training. IndiaSkills 2024 also witnessed the participation of 170+ women in trades that were previously dominated by men like Logistics & Freight Forwarding, Web Technologies, Visual Merchandising, Electrical Installations, Industrial Design Technology, and Renewable Energy.

Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi, Chairman, NCVET said that participants have excelled through district, state, and pre-national levels to compete on this prestigious stage. He is also looking forward to even more female participation next year. He also spoke about introduction of skills credits and certification, covering 61 skills, including 9 unique to India – an initiative which not only recognizes the participants’ hard work but also prepares them for future success.

Extending his heartfelt gratitude to all the winners of the IndiaSkills2024, Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International said that all the participants showed exceptional skill, dedication, and competitiveness. He also said that competitors came from the length and breadth of the country, and this is the testament of the vast representation of Skill India Mission. He also added that the competition will undoubtedly inspire other young Indians to pursue vocational training, achieve excellence, and enhance their employability prospects in international markets.

While 47 skills competition were held onsite, 14 were held offsite in Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat keeping in mind the best infrastructure available. Participants also participated in 9 exhibition skills like Drone-Filming making, Textile-Weaving, Leather-Shoemaking, and prosthetics-makeup. Tamil Nadu witnessed the maximum participation with 86 candidates, followed Odisha (64), Karnataka (61), Punjab (53), and Haryana (47).  In addition to the exhilarating competitions, IndiaSkills 2024 also gave the candidates networking and professional development opportunities.

This year the participants also had the opportunity to earn credits, within the National Credit Framework. All skills showcased in both the WorldSkills and IndiaSkills Competitions are meticulously aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), empowering participants to creditize their learning outcomes and lead a thriving career in their chosen fields. It is also for the first time that IndiaSkills has incorporated a competition information system called Qrencia.

This year, IndiaSkills was supported by more than 400 Industry and Academic Partners like Toyota Kirloskar, Autodesk, JK Cement, Maruti Suzuki, Lincoln Electric, NAMTECH, Vega, Loreal, Schneider Electric, Festo India, Artemis, Medanta, and Cygnia Healthcare.