Odisha shines at IndiaSkills 2025–26 with 57 medals. Discover how the ‘Skilled-in-Odisha’ initiative is building a global workforce
Suryakant Jena & Smruti Rekha Barik
In the evolving story of India’s economic transformation, Odisha has steadily carved out a distinctive identity—one rooted not just in natural resources or industrial growth, but in human capital.
The transformation came with the establishment of the state’s Skill Development and Technical Education Department. Designed to consolidate and strengthen vocational education, the department marked a shift from conventional employment exchanges to a forward-looking skilling ecosystem.
In the last 15 years, the state’s skill development journey has moved from fragmented training efforts to a structured, ambitious ecosystem aimed at creating a globally competitive workforce. Its vision—popularized as “Skilled-in-Odisha”—signaled a broader ambition: to transform the state from a reservoir of potential into a hub of industry-ready talent.
This institutional push was accompanied by expanding infrastructure—creating a multi-tiered network to train youth across urban and rural regions. The focus was clear: accessibility, quality, and employability.
Fast forward today, Odisha is now the skill hub of East India. The State’s rising success in last three consecutive editions of IndiaSkills competition along with impressive achievements on the global stage at WorldSkills, serves as compelling evidence of the state’s growing excellence in skill development.
Odisha’s Triumph at IndiaSkills 2025–26
At IndiaSkills 2025–26, India’s most prestigious national skill competition, Odisha delivered its strongest performance to date, breaking all its previous records.
India Skills 2025–26 was conducted across premier institutions at four offsite locations in Odisha, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and one onsite venue in Greater Noida. Out of 90 participants representing the state, an impressive 57 competitors emerged victorious including 15 Gold, 12 Silver, and 14 Bronze medals, along with 16 participants who secured Medallion for Excellence.
Organised by the National Skill Development Corporation, IndiaSkills 2025–26 witnessed a formidable participation from over 650 candidates across the country. But what makes this achievement more significant is the diverse spectrum of disciplines in which Odisha excelled from technical trades to service industries, from precision engineering to creative sectors.
“IndiaSkills Competition emerged as a major platform to showcase the unique talents of Odisha’s youth. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of our competitors. We extend our best wishes to them for an outstanding performance at the upcoming WorldSkills Competition to be held in Shanghai, China,” said Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer of the World Skill Center.
| IndiaSkills Competition | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Medallions For Excellence | Total Medals |
| 2021-22 | 10 | 18 | 9 | 14 | 51 |
| 2023-24 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 51 |
| 2025-26 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 57 |
The Engine Behind the Success
The World Skill Center (WSC), Bhubaneswar, has been at the forefront of Odisha’s success at IndiaSkills, acting as both a finishing school and a launchpad for global-ready talent. With world-class infrastructure, industry-aligned training, and modules that mirror international competition standards, WSC equips students to excel on national and global stages.
Through its hub-and-spoke model, it connects grassroots training centres with premier institutes, ensuring inclusivity and access for all. Complementing this, Skilled in Odisha, the state’s flagship initiative, transforms skilling into a continuous, future-ready ecosystem—enabling youth to upskill, reskill, and become truly employment-ready in a dynamic global economy.
Stories Behind the Medals
The remarkable achievements of Team Odisha are built on a foundation of relentless effort, unwavering determination, and the quiet confidence of its competitors to prove their mettle. Drawn from modest rural and urban backgrounds, these young men and women have honed their skills with discipline and perseverance, rising to deliver exceptional performances on the national stage.
Sudhanshu Sekhar Sahu, a World Skill Center student who clinched a coveted gold medal in Electrical Installation at the IndiaSkills event is immensely proud to represent the state at prestigious platform like IndiaSkills. “I am fortunate to have earned the opportunity to compete with some of the best talents of the country. It not only allowed me to exhibit my skills but also empowered me to learn, grow, and benchmark myself at a national level,” says Sudhanshu.
“Winning a gold medal for Odisha at IndiaSkills was like a dream come true,” narrated an elated Premanshu Pritam Behera, a student of Bhubanananda Odisha School of Engineering. He credited his top podium finish to hard work and rigorous training mechanism in 3D Digital Game Art. “Now, my goal is make India top at WorldSkills and bring pride for all,” reaffirms Premanshu.
These voices capture something statistics cannot—the emotional journey of young individuals stepping from classrooms into national arenas and emerging as champions.
Looking Beyond: The World Stage
Odisha’s ambition does not end here. With IndiaSkills 2025–26 reinforcing its leadership position, the state is now preparing for a larger horizon: the WorldSkills International Competition. The vision is clear—to transition from national excellence to global leadership with powerful belief: that skill is not just employment—it is empowerment, dignity, and global opportunity.
(The Authors are Communication Professionals with expertise in strategic storytelling, public relations, media outreach, and development communication.)