Content

1. India Finishes Strong at WorldSkills Asia Competition 2025 
2. 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.