Content
- India Finishes Strong at WorldSkills Asia Competition 2025
- Aradhana Event for Senior Citizens
India Finishes Strong at WorldSkills Asia Competition 2025
Why is it in News?
- India secured 8th rank in its first-ever participation at the WorldSkills Asia Competition (WSAC) 2025.
- Medal haul: 1 Silver, 2 Bronze, 3 Medallions of Excellence.
- Strong performance in both traditional and emerging tech skills.
- Significant contribution by women competitors, highlighting gender inclusion in India’s skilling ecosystem.
Relevance
GS 2 – Governance, Education, Social Justice
- Skilling policy, vocational training reforms (PMKVY, SANKALP, STRIVE).
- Globalisation of education and international mobility.
- Gender empowerment in non-traditional domains.
GS 3 – Economy, Employment, Innovation
- Future of work, Industry 4.0 skill requirements.
- Boost to industrial productivity and innovation capacities.
- Human capital development as a driver of economic growth.
What is WorldSkills Asia?
- Continental-level skills competition, part of the global WorldSkills movement.
- Brings together youth (typically aged 17–25) from Asia to compete in skill-based trades aligned to global industry standards.
- Skills span across:
- Construction & Building Technology
- IT & Digital Skills
- Creative Arts & Design
- Manufacturing & Engineering
- Social & Personal Services
- Acts as a benchmark for skill readiness, innovation, and workforce competitiveness.
Key Details of WSAC 2025
- Venue: 3rd edition; included 500+ competitors, 44 skill categories, 29 countries.
- Promotes education mobility, industry–academia linkages, and global exposure for youth.
- India participated with:
- 23 competitors
- 21 experts
- 21 skill areas
India’s Performance
- Rank: 8th among 29 nations (first-ever entry).
- Medals won:
- Silver – Painting & Decorating (Muskan)
- Bronze – Industrial Design Technology (Komal Panda)
- Bronze – Robot System Integration (Shivam Singh & Dinesh R)
- Medallions of Excellence:
- Software Application Development – Mohamed Mafaz P R
- Web Technologies – Aditya Nandan
- Electrical Installations – Dhanush M G
- Strong gender representation:
- Women emerged as top performers, dominating medal tally.
Significance of India’s Achievement
- Validates India’s skilling ecosystem led by MSDE, NSDC, Sector Skill Councils.
- Demonstrates India’s competitiveness in Industry 4.0 skills (robotics, software, design tech).
- Strengthens India’s claim to become a global skilled-talent hub.
- Enhances soft power through global talent mobility and international cooperation.
- Encourages adoption of global standards in vocational education and training (VET).
Why This Matters for India’s Economy ?
- Talent supply for high-growth sectors: AI, robotics, automation, mechatronics, digital design.
- Boost to domestic manufacturing under Make in India & Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Supports India’s demographic dividend by converting youth into globally employable talent.
- Enhances competitiveness in global services value chains.
- Encourages greater industry involvement in skill-building.
Institutional Architecture Involved
- Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) – policy leadership.
- National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) – training, coordination, global partnerships.
- IndiaSkills Competition – national-level selection platform.
- Sector Skill Councils – industry-led standards, curriculum, assessment.
- Academic + Technical Partners – IITs, ITIs, polytechnics, private training labs.
Conclusion
- Women-led performance shows shifting social norms and rise of women in STEM, non-traditional trades.
- Builds momentum for gender-inclusive skilling under Skill India Mission.
- Encourages more states to promote vocational training in schools and colleges.
Aradhana Event for Senior Citizens
Why is it in News?
- The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment organised “Aradhana”, a cultural event for senior citizens on 28 November 2025 at DIAC, New Delhi.
- Objective: Promote active ageing and intergenerational bonding under the ongoing celebrations of International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) 2025.
- Theme: “अनुभव से ऊर्जा तक” (From Experience to Energy).
Relevance
GS 1 – Society
- Changing family structures; elderly care.
- Intergenerational relations.
- Role of art, culture in social cohesion.
GS 2 – Governance, Social Justice
- Elderly welfare policies.
- Constitutional duties of the State.
- MWPSC Act 2007.
- Schemes for vulnerable sections.
Senior Citizens & Policy Context
- A senior citizen as per MWPSC Act 2007: A person aged 60 years or above.
- Article 41 of the Constitution: State shall provide public assistance for citizens in old age.
- India is undergoing a rapid demographic transition → ageing population increasing sharply.
Purpose of the Event
- Encourage active ageing through cultural expression.
- Build intergenerational connections among elders, youth, and children.
- Celebrate artistic contributions of older persons.
India’s Ageing Profile – Data
- Census 2011: 10 crore senior citizens.
- Projection for 2036: 22 crore (Double in 25 years).
- Share of elderly population rising due to:
- Increased life expectancy
- Falling fertility rate
- Improved healthcare
Significance of the Event
- Promotes active ageing:
- Engaging seniors physically, mentally, emotionally.
- Encourages participation in community and cultural life.
- Strengthens intergenerational bonding:
- Youth understand the wisdom of elders.
- Seniors feel valued and socially connected.
- Reinforces inclusive social policy:
- Aligns with global frameworks like UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030).
- Advances India’s vision for age-friendly communities.
- Enhances social cohesion:
- Brings together government, NGOs, citizens, and youth on a common platform.
Policy & Legal Framework
- Constitutional Basis: Article 41 – assistance in old age.
- Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (MWPSC Act):
- Ensures maintenance, welfare, and protection of elderly.
- Mandates children/relatives to support dependent parents.
- Provides for old-age homes in every district.
- Central Sector Schemes:
- IGNOAPS (under NSAP)
- Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) – aids & assistive devices
- National Helpline for Senior Citizens (NHSC) – 14567
- Senior Citizen Welfare Fund
- Elderline, Day Care Centres, Senior Citizen Homes
- Institutional Architecture:
- DoSJE as nodal ministry
- State social welfare departments
- NGOs & civil society partners
Why Such Events Are Important for India ?
- India is becoming an ageing society → requires active ageing strategies, not just welfare.
- Helps reduce:
- Social isolation
- Elder abuse
- Depression & inactivity
- Supports healthy ageing: autonomy, dignity, and productivity.
- Promotes cultural integration between seniors and younger generations.
