Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Skill Competition 2025-26 concluded today in a ceremony defined by a strategic commitment to systemic industrialization and the total retention of local talent.
Addressing the state’s young skilled students, Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi asserted that the ongoing industrial transformation would ensure that specialized employment remains a local guarantee, stating that excellence in skill development is now the primary driver for state-level economic progress. Industries and Skill Development Minister Shri Sampad Chandra Swain graced the occasion.
In a formal recognition of vocational mastery, the Chief Minister conferred 54 gold, 53 silver, and 50 bronze medals. These awards were accompanied by cash prizes of 25,000 rupees for gold winners, 20,000 rupees for silver, and 15,000 rupees for bronze, alongside official certificates.
The ceremony was attended by high-level state leadership, including Chief Secretary Shrimati Anu Garg, Development Commissioner Shri Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, and Secretary of Skill Development and Technical Education Shri Bhupendra Singh Poonia.
The administration’s developmental narrative is built upon a tripartite pillar of infrastructure, industrial environment, and human capital. This framework is designed to realize the dual objectives of Prosperous Odisha 2036 and Developed India 2047. The Chief Minister highlighted that within the last 18 months, industrial projects totaling 6.15 lakh crore rupees have been approved, a capital influx projected to generate 3.64 lakh jobs within the state’s ecosystem.
To bridge the gap between industrial demand and local supply, the Cabinet has ratified the ITI Excellence Scheme. This initiative will modernize 47 Industrial Training Institutes into Centers of Excellence, providing advanced training in emerging technical fields. Furthermore, 9 ITIs will now feature specialized Artificial Intelligence laboratories to ensure the workforce is equipped for the digital economy.
Industries and Skill Development Minister Shri Sampad Chandra Swain characterized the competition as a manifestation of the collective aspirations of a New Odisha. The event serves as a critical mechanism for identifying talent and providing the youth with the necessary credentials to participate in both national and international industrial opportunities.