Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hails youth for national-level success; four Medals of Excellence added to tally
TFP Bureau, Raipur, March 3, 2026: Chhattisgarh’s youth showcased exceptional talent at the East Zone Regional round of IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26, securing a total of 12 medals along with four Medals of Excellence. The competition, organised by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, aims to provide a national platform for innovation, technical skills, and industry-oriented expertise.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated the participants, stating that the achievement reflects the ability of Chhattisgarh’s youth to compete not just nationally but globally. He emphasised the state government’s commitment to skill development through modern training programs, innovation-led initiatives, and courses aligned with industry needs. “This success is an important milestone in our journey towards building a skilled and prosperous Chhattisgarh,” Shri Sai said.
The East Zone Regional competition concluded on March 2, 2026, in Bhubaneswar, with over 200 participants from Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands competing across 59 skill categories. Chhattisgarh secured one gold, two silver, five bronze medals, and four Medals of Excellence.
Gold was won by Sunil Kumar Paital in Digital Interactive Media, while silver medals were claimed by Khushank Nayak (3D Digital Game Art), Pushkar Sonbar (CNC Milling), and Atmaram (CNC Turning). Bronze winners included Nikhil (CNC Milling), Abhishek Kumar (Electronics), Reshman (Plumbing and Heating), and Satendra Kumar (Web Technologies). Medals of Excellence went to Nohar Lal Patel (Renewable Energy), Om Banjare (Mechanical Engineering), and Antara Mukherjee (Health and Social Care).
The competition in Chhattisgarh was coordinated by the Chhattisgarh State Skill Development Authority. At the district level, 3,327 participants competed across 19 skill trades, with 381 advancing to the state round. The state-level contest was conducted on February 3–4, 2026, in Raipur, Durg, and Raigarh, culminating in 38 participants moving forward to the regional stage. Those selected will now represent the state at the national IndiaSkills competition.
For the first time, innovations such as Kaushal Tihar 2025 and a mobile-based MCQ assessment system were introduced to increase participation and ensure transparency in evaluation. Officials said these measures contributed to wider engagement and streamlined assessment of practical skills.
This landmark achievement reinforces Chhattisgarh’s growing focus on skill development as a key driver of employment, industry readiness, and youth empowerment across the state.
