- First-ever exclusive regional skills competition for the North East brings together youth from all eight states across 26 skill categories
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will organise the North East Regional Competition of IndiaSkills 2025–26 at Gauhati University, Assam, from 19 to 22 January 2026, marking a significant milestone in India’s national skilling ecosystem. This is the first time a dedicated IndiaSkills regional competition is being conducted exclusively for the North Eastern Region, with participation from all eight states.
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is the knowledge partner and implementing agency for the IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26. The regional event will bring together skilled youth from across the North East to compete in 26 skill categories on a national platform that recognises regional talent and excellence.
Strengthening Skilling In The North East The competition will be inaugurated on 19 January 2026 by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India. The inauguration underlines the government’s focus on strengthening skill development, regional inclusion and competitive excellence in emerging regions.
Addressing a pre-event press conference, Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, said the North East Regional Competition represents a decisive step in deepening India’s skilling architecture across underserved and emerging regions.
IndiaSkills is India’s premier national skill competition framework, aimed at identifying, nurturing and benchmarking the country’s best vocational talent against global standards. It also provides a structured progression pathway for skilled youth from grassroots levels to national and international platforms, including the WorldSkills Competition.
The ongoing IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26 cycle has seen one of the widest participation footprints so far, with 3.65 lakh candidates registering from 35 States and Union Territories across 63 skill categories through the Skill India Digital Hub.
The regional competition will commence with an opening ceremony at the B.K.B Auditorium, Gauhati University, followed by a familiarisation programme on 19 January.
Designed to reduce geographic and logistical barriers, the North East Regional Competition aims to strengthen local skill ecosystems, identify region-specific strengths, and align high-potential candidates with industry demand and national priorities. Winners from the regional round will advance to the national stage of the IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26, contributing to India’s growing pipeline of skilled talent for global opportunities.
