GUWAHATI, Jan 19: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary on Monday said the youth of the North-East have the potential to lead India’s skilled workforce, as he inaugurated the IndiaSkills Regional Competition 2025–26 (North-East) at Gauhati University.
The event, being hosted in the region for the first time, has brought together 162 competitors from all eight North-Eastern states to compete across 26 skill categories, including advanced digital technologies, manufacturing, hospitality, health and retail services. Organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship with the National Skill Development Corporation as the implementation partner, the competition aims to provide youth in the region access to a national-level skilling platform closer to home.
Addressing the gathering, Chaudhary said initiatives like IndiaSkills reflect growing confidence in the talent of the North-East and align with the Prime Minister’s focus on the region. He stressed the need to integrate skilling with formal education under NEP 2020 to expand employability and entrepreneurship opportunities. Top performers from the regional round will qualify for the national competition, with select winners set to represent India at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai later this year.
