India Skills 2026 starts in Bhubaneswar

The Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) is hosting India Skills 2026 – Regional Hospitality Competitions from February 2-14 at C V Raman Global University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The competitions, organised across North, South, East and West zones, form a key component of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship flagship India Skills 2025–26 programme. The initiative 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 are participating after qualifying through a rigorous multi-stage selection process. These include an MCQ-based knowledge assessment followed by physical skill trials. Based on merit and performance, top candidates have been shortlisted to compete at the regional level.

The primary objective of the India Skills 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. “India Skills is not merely a competition; it is an opportunity for aspiring hospitality professionals to understand modern techniques and global hotel practices while mastering the basics. This platform continues to recognise and nurture emerging talent who will define the future of the hospitality industry. Through enhanced education and large-scale industry-focused initiatives, we strive to set new benchmarks for excellence,” commented Rajan Bahadur, CEO, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council.

The top three winners in each skill category will undergo advanced training and compete in two additional physical rounds, from which one finalist per skill will be selected to represent India at World Skills Shanghai, China.