In a proud moment for the Union Territory of Ladakh, Maqsuma Banoo, a B.Com 4th semester student of Government Degree College (GDC) Kargil and Beauty Skill Centre, GDC Kargil, has been awarded the Medallion for Excellence in the Beauty Therapy skill at the IndiaSkills Regional Competition 2025–26.

The Medallion for Excellence is conferred in each skill category to recognise competitors who demonstrate outstanding performance beyond the top three positions—gold, silver, and bronze. At the regional-level competition, around 330 participants from nine States and Union Territories competed across 63 skill trades.

Ladakh, participating for the first time, fielded six competitors across three skill trades—Beauty Therapy, Graphic Designing, and Fashion Technology. These participants were UT-level qualifiers, selected as the top two performers from each trade out of nearly 20 competitors at the UT-level IndiaSkills competition.

Securing a Medallion for Excellence in its debut regional participation marks a significant milestone for Ladakh, reflecting the growing strength of its skilling ecosystem and the potential of its youth. This progress has been supported by the establishment of 16 skill centres across seven higher education institutions following the formation of the Union Territory.

Members of the Ladakh contingent expressed gratitude to the UT administration, including the Ladakh Skill Development Mission and Government Degree College Kargil, for their support through boot camp training at reputed institutes and for providing the opportunity to participate in the regional competition.

They noted that participation itself proved to be a valuable learning experience, offering significant exposure to students.

Bhanu Prabha, Administrative Secretary, Technical Education and Skill Development/Higher Education and Mission Director, Ladakh Skill Development Mission, appreciated and felicitated the team upon their arrival in Leh. She reiterated that the UT administration will continue to support and nurture local talent, enabling the youth of Ladakh to excel and represent the region at national and international platforms.

Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) and the guidance of Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal, the Ladakh Skill Development Mission (LSDM) plans to organise a UT-level annual skilling competition to encourage youth to pursue vocational and skill education with greater enthusiasm.

The IndiaSkills Competition, organised by the National Skill Development Corporation under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, is the country’s premier platform for showcasing vocational and technical excellence.