Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 7: The Government of Karnataka’s Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, and Livelihood (SDEL) has announced the second Bengaluru Skill Summit during a pre-event held at Vikasa Soudha, Bengaluru. The summit is scheduled for November 3 to 5, 2026, at The Lalit Ashok Bengaluru.
Dr. Sharanprakash Rudrappa Patil, the Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, along with other dignitaries including Sri Subodh Yadav, I.A.S., and Smt. Shivakantamma (Kanta) Naik, attended the announcement event. The summit is organized under the leadership of Dr. Patil and is hosted by the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC) in cooperation with the Karnataka Skill Development Authority (KSDA) and the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) as a knowledge partner. Management of the summit is undertaken by Trescon.
Following a successful inaugural event in November 2025 that attracted over 6,500 attendees, the 2026 edition aims to further enhance its focus on actionable workforce transformation. The summit seeks to unite government, industry, academia, and global partners to collaboratively develop effective skilling models.
The theme for this year’s summit is “Workforce 2030: Scale, Systems, Synergy,” highlighting Karnataka’s commitment to creating a workforce ecosystem that is adaptable across various sectors and regions, established through robust institutional frameworks and collaborative efforts among stakeholders.
The Bengaluru Skill Summit 2026 is anticipated to attract:
- Over 6,500 attendees
- More than 150 speakers
- Over 50 exhibitors
- Exceeding 100 partners
- Delegations from both national and international spheres
Building upon the previous event, this summit focuses on practical execution in terms of scaling operations, institutionalizing systems, and achieving measurable outcomes through collaboration. The program will feature four thematic tracks: Emerging Skills, Skills for All, Innovation, and Global Skills.
The “Emerging Skills” track will concentrate on preparing for green jobs, advancements in AI, Industry 4.0, and the digital economy. The “Skills for All” track aims to promote inclusion for women, youth, informal workers, and those in the gig economy. The “Innovation” track will showcase best practices and innovations in the skilling ecosystem, while the “Global Skills” track will focus on enhancing Karnataka’s workforce for international employability.
The inauguration of the summit is set to take place on November 3 at 5:00 PM, officiated by Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Shri D. K. Shivakumar, alongside other prominent officials including Dr. G. Parameshwara, the Deputy Chief Minister, and Dr. Patil.
During the summit, the Plenary Stage will host significant discussions among senior government officials, industry leaders, and academic experts to address priorities shaping the future workforce. Topics will include the importance of future-ready skills, lifelong learning, inclusive workforce participation, and the role of policy and industry collaboration in preparing a skilled workforce.
High-profile sessions will also be featured, including a panel discussion with senior ministers on “Workforce 2030: Karnataka’s Roadmap from Policy to Execution,” and a session with Skill Development Secretaries discussing insights from India’s leading skills ecosystems.
Additionally, a session will spotlight young achievers from Karnataka who participated in WorldSkills 2026, sharing their experiences and the impact of skills excellence on career opportunities.
With more than 150 speakers lined up, the summit aims to bring together a diverse array of voices from government, industry, academia, and entrepreneurship, including renowned figures such as Mr. Subroto Bagchi, Founder of Mindtree, and Dr. Gururaj ‘Desh’ Deshpande, an influential entrepreneur and philanthropist.
New features for the 2026 edition include Precursor Events designed to create momentum leading up to the summit, with sessions held at key technology and innovation gatherings across Karnataka. The summit will also introduce an Innovation Stage to present applied solutions and emerging models addressing workforce challenges.
