Jan 08: As India prepares to celebrate Republic Day 2026, Project Veer Gatha 5.0 has emerged as a powerful symbol of youth engagement, patriotism, and cultural pride. A joint initiative of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education, Veer Gatha 5.0 has recorded its highest-ever participation, with approximately 1.92 crore students from around 1.90 lakh schools across the country taking part—marking a historic milestone since the project’s inception in 2021.
Launched on September 8, 2025, Veer Gatha 5.0 was designed to deepen students’ understanding of India’s military heritage, gallantry, and the sacrifices made by the nation’s heroes. This edition introduced several innovative features to enhance creativity and engagement, most notably the inclusion of short-video formats such as videography, anchoring, reporting, and storytelling. These formats encouraged students to express their ideas through modern digital mediums while staying rooted in the theme of Samarik Parampara, India’s rich tradition of military strategy, campaigns, and valour.
Students explored the lives, leadership, and courage of legendary Indian warriors and freedom fighters, including King Kharavela of Kalinga, Prithviraj Chauhan, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the heroes of the 1857 uprising, and leaders of various tribal uprisings. By engaging with such diverse historical narratives, participants not only showcased creativity but also developed a deeper appreciation of India’s civilisational and martial legacy.
A major highlight of Veer Gatha 5.0 was its global expansion. For the first time, CBSE-affiliated schools abroad actively participated in the initiative. Around 28,005 students from 91 schools across 18 countries submitted their entries, significantly expanding the project’s international footprint. This milestone reinforced India’s efforts to take stories of courage, sacrifice, and national pride to the global Indian diaspora and beyond.
The project followed a structured and inclusive approach. Schools conducted activities at the local level, while Gallantry awardees interacted with students through nationwide programmes held both offline and online. After school-level activities concluded on November 10, 2025, top entries were submitted through the MyGov portal. Following district and state-level evaluations, nearly 4,020 entries reached the national stage.
From these, 100 students were selected as national-level Super-Winners—25 from the Preparatory Stage (Grades 3–5), 25 from the Middle Stage (Grades 6–8), and 50 from the Secondary Stage (Grades 9–12, with equal representation). These Super-100 winners will be jointly felicitated by the Ministries of Defence and Education in New Delhi. Each will receive a cash prize of ₹10,000 and the honour of witnessing the Republic Day Parade 2026 at Kartavya Path as special guests.
In addition to the national winners, state, UT, and district-level winners will also be recognised by respective authorities, ensuring wide-based appreciation and encouragement.
Initiated during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Project Veer Gatha has steadily evolved into a nationwide movement nurturing patriotism, civic responsibility, and respect for India’s armed forces among young minds. From 8 lakh participants in its first edition to 1.92 crore in Veer Gatha 5.0, the initiative reflects the growing enthusiasm of India’s youth to connect with the nation’s heroic past and carry its values into the future.
Veer Gatha 5.0 stands as a shining example of how education, culture, and national pride can come together to inspire generations and strengthen India’s collective identity.
