Over 1.92 Crore School Students Participate in Project Veer Gatha 5.0
More than 1.92 crore school students from all 36 States and Union Territories took part in Project Veer Gatha 5.0. Participants submitted poems, paintings, essays, videos and other creative works that highlighted the bravery and sacrifice of officers and personnel of the Armed Forces. Students were also motivated to learn about the determination and military skills of India’s renowned warriors, including King Kharavela of Kalinga, Prithviraj Chauhan, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the warriors of 1857 in the First War of Independence, and leaders of Tribal Uprisings, among others.
Background of the Initiative
Project Veer Gatha, launched in 2021, seeks to share inspiring accounts of gallantry awardees and foster a sense of patriotism among students. The initiative offers a creative medium for students to present the actions of gallantry award winners, aligning with the goals of NEP 2020 that focus on experiential and project-based learning rather than rote memorisation.
Four editions of the project were carried out in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Under Project Veer Gatha 5.0, several activities were implemented.
Activities at the School Level
Schools organised different projects and activities from 08.09.2025 to 10.11.2025 and uploaded four top entries from each school to the MyGov portal.
At the same time, to enhance students’ understanding of courageous individuals and lesser-known stories, the Ministry of Defence, through Army, Navy and Air Force field organisations, arranged virtual interactions and in-person awareness sessions for schools across the country.
Growth in Participation
The initiative has recorded a consistent rise in student involvement since its launch:
• 8.03 lakh students in Edition 1
• 19.5 lakh students in Edition 2
• 1.36 crore students in Edition 3
• 1.76 crore students in Edition 4
• 1.92 crore students in Edition 5
In a notable development, Project Veer Gatha 5.0 extended its reach beyond India, with students from Indian schools abroad joining the initiative. This global participation highlights the project’s influence in connecting the Indian diaspora with the stories of the country’s gallantry awardees and reinforcing values of courage, sacrifice and patriotism.
Motivational Message to Students
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Test Pilot with the Indian Air Force, delivered an inspirational address and shared a special video message for students. He encouraged participants to strive for excellence, contribute to the nation with commitment, and uphold the values of bravery and resilience represented by the Veer Gatha initiative.
Selection of Winners
During Editions 1 and 2, 25 national winners known as the Super 25 were selected and honoured jointly by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi. In Editions 3.0 and 4.0, 100 national winners known as the Super 100 were selected. For Project Veer Gatha 5.0, 100 national winners will again be chosen based on the 5+3+3+4 curricular and pedagogical structure of NEP 2020.
• Preparatory Stage – 25 winners
• Middle Stage – 25 winners
• Secondary Stage – 25 winners each from Classes 9–10 and Classes 11–12
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Defence will jointly organise their felicitation in New Delhi. Each national winner will receive a cash award of Rs. 10,000.
Additionally, 2,956 winners from 739 districts, with four winners per participating district, and 288 winners from States and Union Territories, with eight winners per State or UT, will be honoured by their respective District and State or UT administrations.