Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary on Monday flagged off the Indian contingent for the 2026 Taipei Capital Cup WorldSkills Invitational Tournament, set to be held in Taipei, Taiwan, from May 26 to 28.
The five-member Indian team will compete against participants from around 15 countries in the international vocational and technical skills competition, which is being seen as a key preparatory event ahead of the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
The tournament aims to promote technical excellence, workforce innovation, international collaboration and global skills development, while also providing participants with exposure to high-level international competition.
The send-off ceremony was attended by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) CEO Arunkumar Pillai and other senior officials from the Ministry and NSDC.
Addressing the participants, Jayant Chaudhary urged the competitors to represent India with confidence, discipline and excellence, while learning from global best practices and international competition standards. He said such competitions not only sharpen technical skills but also strengthen India’s skilling ecosystem and prepare the youth for emerging global opportunities.
“Global platforms like these are not just about medals, but also about experiences that build confidence, broaden perspectives and create lifelong memories. I encouraged Team India to make the most of this opportunity, build friendships, forge partnerships and return with wider horizons,” the minister said.
India will compete in five categories, with Arjun Sumathi Vijayabashkar participating in Mobile Applications Development, Mohamed Mafaz Poonaikannan Rabi Ahamed in Software Applications Development, Muskan in Painting and Decorating, Md Seraj in Automobile Technology, and Suresh Kumar Ganesan Meena in Digital Construction.
The contingent includes gold medal winners from the IndiaSkills National Competition 2025-26 along with candidates selected through the wildcard entry process.
This year’s Taipei Capital Cup features 10 skill categories linked to smart manufacturing and digital transformation, including Industry 4.0, IT Network Systems Administration, Industrial Mechanics and Digital Construction.
India’s participation in the tournament is expected to provide early exposure to international standards and serve as a crucial warm-up event ahead of the 48th WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition.
