Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council to Host IndiaSkills 2026 Hospitality Regional Competitions

The Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) will host the IndiaSkills 2026 – Regional Hospitality Competitions from 19th to 21st January 2026 at Down Town University, Guwahati, Assam. The three-day event is a key component of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) flagship IndiaSkills 2025–26 programme and aims to showcase India’s finest young talent across five core hospitality skill categories: Bakery, Cooking, Restaurant Services, Patisserie & Confectionery, and Hotel Reception.

Competitors from across the country underwent a rigorous multi-stage selection process to qualify for the IndiaSkills 2026 Northeast Regional Competitions. The process comprised an MCQ-based knowledge assessment followed by physical skill trials. Based on overall merit and performance, 39 candidates were shortlisted across five hospitality skill categories to compete at the regional level. Participants represent the states of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Mizoram, and Tripura.

IndiaSkills 2026 serves as India’s official pathway to the prestigious WorldSkills Competition, the world’s largest skills showcase, often referred to as the “Olympics of Skills.” Successful candidates from IndiaSkills progress through structured training and national-level competitions to earn the honour of representing India on the global stage.

India’s consistent performance at WorldSkills reflects the growing strength and global competitiveness of the hospitality sector under the IndiaSkills ecosystem. Over the years, Indian hospitality competitors have earned a Silver Medal and a Medallion in 2017, two Medallions in 2019, two Medals and two Medallions in 2022, and most recently two Bronze Medals and one Medallion in 2024. These achievements underscore the impact of structured training, expert mentorship, and strong industry collaboration in elevating India’s hospitality talent to international standards.

Commenting on the importance of the initiative, Mr. Rajan Bahadur, CEO, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council, said:
“IndiaSkills competitions play a vital role in identifying, nurturing, and celebrating vocational excellence in India. We are proud to host this platform that not only highlights the importance of skill development in hospitality but also empowers young professionals to represent India internationally. Our continued collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and industry partners reflects our commitment to building a future-ready workforce for the hospitality sector.”

The primary objective of the IndiaSkills Hospitality Competitions is to identify high-potential talent and provide them with structured training and mentorship from a panel of experts drawn from leading colleges, academies, institutes, and the hospitality industry. The top three winners in each skill category will undergo advanced training and compete in two additional physical competitions, from which one finalist per skill will be selected to represent India at WorldSkills Shanghai, China.

The IndiaSkills 2026 Hospitality Competitions provide a unique national platform for aspiring hospitality professionals to demonstrate their technical expertise, creativity, and service excellence. Participants will be evaluated by a distinguished jury of industry experts, ensuring a transparent, rigorous, and globally benchmarked assessment process.

The Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) is the apex body for vocational education and skill development in India’s tourism and hospitality sector. Since its inception, THSC has enrolled over 2 million candidates and successfully certified more than 1.6 million youth. With a strong ecosystem comprising 1000+ training institutes, 81+ colleges, and over 5000 industry units, THSC continues to work towards creating an industry-aligned skilling framework that delivers employable talent and sustainable career opportunities across the sector.