NIFT participants delivered a notable performance at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. NIFT participants represented India in four skill areas—Fashion Technology, Digital Interactive Media Design, Retail Sales, and Visual Merchandising. Two NIFT participants won Silver Medals, while another received a Medal for Excellence.

The achievements came at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, held in Shanghai from September 23 to 26, 2026, where more than 1,400 competitors from 68 countries and regions competed across 64 skills. India sent its largest-ever contingent of 70 competitors and finished 10th, winning six Silver Medals and 20 Medals for Excellence.

News Highlights

• NIFT participants represented India in four skill areas at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
• Kovid Ajay Gangrade won a Silver Medal in Digital Interactive Media Design.

• Saniya Joshi secured a Silver Medal in Retail Sales.
• Vidhi Niravkumar Suthar received a Medal for Excellence in Fashion Technology.
• Anuja Ajay Vare represented India in Visual Merchandising.
• India won six Silver Medals and received 20 Medals for Excellence overall.
• India sent its largest-ever WorldSkills contingent of 70 competitors.
• More than 1,400 competitors from 68 countries and regions took part.
• NIFT’s participation highlighted the connection between fashion, technology, and retail-related skills.

A Proud Moment for NIFT at WorldSkills Shanghai

The performance of NIFT participants at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 resulted in two Silver Medals and a Medal for Excellence. The achievements also reflected the preparation and support provided by their trainers and teams.

At the international competition in Shanghai, NIFT participants represented India in four skill areas—Fashion Technology, Digital Interactive Media Design, Retail Sales, and Visual Merchandising. The participants competed against competitors from different parts of the world and demonstrated their abilities on a global platform.

NIFT participants won two Silver Medals and received one Medal for Excellence, showing the growing strength of Indian talent in creative, technical and retail-related skills.

Kovid Ajay Gangrade Wins Silver in Digital Interactive Media Design

Kovid Ajay Gangrade from NIFT Mumbai won a Silver Medal in Digital Interactive Media Design. Digital Interactive Media Design was among the skills featured at the Shanghai 2026 competition. 

Digital Interactive Media Design brings creativity and technology together. It requires participants to use their technical knowledge while also thinking creatively and developing engaging digital experiences.

Kovid’s achievement highlights Indian participation in a digital and creative skill area at the international competition.

The result also illustrates the role of digital skills within the broader fashion and design ecosystem.

Saniya Joshi Wins Silver Medal in Retail Sales

Saniya Joshi of NIFT Panchkula also secured a Silver Medal in Retail Sales.

Retail is an important part of the fashion industry. Retail Sales involves skills related to products, customer requirements, presentation, and the shopping experience.

Saniya’s result demonstrates the application of these skills in an international competition.

Her Silver Medal also adds to India’s overall medal tally at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 and highlights the diverse skill sets being developed by young professionals in the country.

Medal for Excellence in Fashion Technology

Vidhi Niravkumar Suthar, a Fashion Design graduate from NIFT Gandhinagar, represented India in Fashion Technology and received a Medal for Excellence.

Fashion Technology has been a longstanding area of NIFT’s participation in WorldSkills. The institute has been involved in this skill area since 2011.

Preparation for an international competition at this level involves focused training and practice. Vidhi underwent four months of specialised training at NIFT New Delhi before competing in Shanghai.

During her preparation, she received guidance from Prof. (Dr.) Monika Gupta and the NIFT training team. The training focused on technical skills, accuracy, international standards and performing effectively under competition conditions.

Her Medal for Excellence reflects her performance at the international competition and the preparation undertaken before the event. 

NIFT Also Represented India in Visual Merchandising

NIFT Bengaluru’s Anuja Ajay Vare represented India in Visual Merchandising at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

Visual merchandising plays an important role in how products and brands are presented to customers. It combines creativity, visual communication, and an understanding of customer behaviour.

Through participation in Visual Merchandising, Fashion Technology, Digital Interactive Media Design, and Retail Sales, NIFT participants represented a range of skills connected with the fashion and retail sectors. 

India Sends Its Largest-Ever WorldSkills Team

India participated in WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 with its largest-ever contingent of 70 competitors. The Indian team competed across 63 skills.

India won six Silver Medals and received 20 Medals for Excellence, finishing 10th in the competition.

India’s six Silver Medals came in Bakery, Dental Prosthetics, Digital Interactive Media Design, Industrial Design Technology, Logistics and Freight Forwarding, and Retail Sales.

The results covered a range of technical, creative, service, and industrial skills represented by the Indian contingent.

A Global Platform for Young Talent

WorldSkills provides competitors with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in an international competition. It also brings together competitors, experts, and trainers from different countries and regions.

For institutions such as NIFT, participation in an international competition offers valuable exposure to global benchmarks and industry practices.

The experience gained through such competitions can also contribute to strengthening training methods and skill-development programmes.

Fashion Skills Extend Beyond Traditional Design

NIFT’s participation at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 illustrates the range of skills associated with the broader fashion sector. The fashion sector includes skills beyond clothing design, including technology, digital media, retail, visual presentation, and customer experience.

NIFT’s participation across four skill areas highlights the range of disciplines connected with fashion and related industries. The results of Kovid Ajay Gangrade, Saniya Joshi, and Vidhi Niravkumar Suthar demonstrate the range of skills represented by NIFT participants at the international competition. 

Preparation Behind the NIFT Participants’ Achievements

International competition results are supported by preparation, practice, and guidance. The NIFT participants’ results also reflect the preparation and support provided by their trainers, experts, and other members of the support teams.

NIFT congratulated its students, experts, trainers, officials, the Ministry of Textiles, and others associated with the Indian contingent on the achievements.

The WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 experience provided the participants with an opportunity to compete internationally and interact with competitors and experts from around the world.

The results add to NIFT’s participation in international skills competitions across fashion, design, technology, and retail-related disciplines. 

FAQs

1. How many medals did NIFT participants receive at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026?

NIFT participants won two Silver Medals and received one Medal for Excellence at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. 

2. Who won the Silver Medal in Digital Interactive Media Design?

Kovid Ajay Gangrade from NIFT Mumbai won the Silver Medal in Digital Interactive Media Design.

3. Who won the Silver Medal in Retail Sales?

Saniya Joshi from NIFT Panchkula won the Silver Medal in Retail Sales.

4. Who received the Medal for Excellence in Fashion Technology?

Vidhi Niravkumar Suthar, a Fashion Design graduate from NIFT Gandhinagar, received the Medal for Excellence in Fashion Technology.

5. In which skill areas did NIFT participants represent India? 

NIFT participants represented India in Fashion Technology, Digital Interactive Media Design, Retail Sales, and Visual Merchandising.