Skill Training Institutes Are No Less Than IITs, IIMs: PM Modi
Interacting with Team India at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, the Prime Minister calls for continuous upskilling and stronger training institutions to make India a global hub for skilled talent.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th Oct: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with representatives of Team India at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, Shanghai 2026, congratulating the participants on representing the country internationally and urging them to become ambassadors of skill development.
During the interaction at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, the participants shared their experiences of competing on the global stage, including adapting to new tools, software, technical systems and work processes. They also spoke about how government initiatives in skill development were helping young people strengthen their capabilities.
Emphasising the importance of vocational and technical training, Modi said practical skills were as important as academic degrees. He underlined the need to give skill training institutions the recognition they deserve, stating that their importance was “no less than IITs and IIMs”.
The Prime Minister also recalled the objective behind establishing a separate Ministry for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, stressing that India’s growth would depend on building a strong ecosystem for specialised skills.
PM Calls for Continuous Upskilling
PM Modi said that as technology evolves rapidly, young people must keep learning, acquire new skills and upgrade their existing capabilities to remain prepared for changing workplace demands.
He urged participants to align their skills with international market requirements and share their experiences and suggestions with the government to help improve India’s training ecosystem.
The Prime Minister emphasised that establishing India as a global hub of skilled human resources would require coordinated efforts by young people, the government and training institutions.
He encouraged the participants to use their international exposure to inspire other young Indians and promote the value of vocational education and practical training.
India Finishes 10th at WorldSkills Shanghai
The 48th WorldSkills Competition was held from September 22 to 27, 2026, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. The event brought together young professionals from participating countries and regions to demonstrate their expertise across a wide range of technical and vocational skills.
According to the figures shared by the government, Team India secured 10th position, winning six silver medals and 20 Medals for Excellence. India fielded its largest-ever contingent, with 70 competitors participating across 63 skills.
The participants’ experiences highlighted the importance of adapting to new technologies and evolving work practices in an increasingly competitive international environment.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, along with senior government officials, also attended the interaction.
