NIFT Students Make a Mark at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026
Students from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) made their mark at the 48th WorldSkills 2026 competition held in Shanghai. They won two silver medals and a 'Medallion of Excellence' in skills related to fashion, digital media, and retail.
WorldSkills 2026, held in Shanghai from September 23 to 26, saw the participation of over 1,400 young competitors from approximately 68 countries and regions, competing across 64 skill categories.
India sent its largest-ever contingent of 70 competitors across 63 skill categories and secured the 10th position, winning six silver medals and 20 'Medallions of Excellence'.
NIFT was represented in four categories: Fashion Technology, Digital Interactive Media Design, Retail Sales, and Visual Merchandising.
Among the Indian participants, Kovid Ajay Gangrade from NIFT Mumbai won a silver medal in Digital Interactive Media Design, while Sania Joshi from NIFT Panchkula secured a silver medal in Retail Sales. These categories highlight how the fashion industry is evolving beyond traditional design towards technology, digital platforms, and customer experience.
In Fashion Technology, Vidhi Niravkumar Suthar, a Fashion Design graduate from NIFT Gandhinagar, received a 'Medallion of Excellence'. She underwent four months of intensive training under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Monica Gupta at NIFT New Delhi and the institute's training team. The training focused on technical skills, precision, adherence to international standards, and performance under competitive conditions.
Anuja Ajay Ware, a student from NIFT Bengaluru, also represented India in Visual Merchandising. For the students, participating in WorldSkills was far more than just taking part in an international competition. It gave them the opportunity to learn about global skill standards, new technologies, and industry expectations, while also allowing them to compete against young professionals from around the world.
NIFT stated that this experience would help refine its training methods and integrate international practices into its academic and skill-development programs. These results highlight the growing convergence of fashion, technology, retail, creativity, and digital skills.