New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) An unprecedented 1.92 crore students from approximately 1.90 lakh schools engaged in 'Project Veer Gatha 5.0', a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education, as part of the Republic Day festivities, an official reported on Thursday.

The official mentioned that 100 Super-Winners were recognized at the national level and will be invited as special guests to the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.

Alongside the national winners, eight winners at the State/Union Territory (UT) level (two from each category) and four winners at the district level (one from each category) will be honored by state/UT/district authorities.

This year witnessed nearly 1.92 crore students participating from around 1.90 lakh schools, marking the highest participation since its inception in 2021, according to the statement.

One hundred winners have been selected at the national level: 25 from the Preparatory Stage (Grades 3-5), 25 from the Middle Stage (Grades 6-8), and 50 from the Secondary Stage (with equal representation from Grades 9-10 and 11-12).

Project Veer Gatha was launched in 2021 to commemorate 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' as India celebrated its 75th Independence anniversary.

The initiative's goal is to honor the bravery of Gallantry awardees by showcasing their courageous acts and life stories while fostering a sense of patriotism and civic responsibility among students.

From its inception to the current edition, the project has transformed into a motivating movement, gradually expanding its outreach across the nation and to Indian schools abroad.

Launched on September 8, 2025, 'Veer Gatha 5.0' featured innovative elements to boost student engagement.

For the first time, the initiative involved short-video formats like videography, anchoring, reporting, and storytelling, motivating students to produce content centered on 'Samarik Parampara'—India's rich military traditions, strategies, campaigns, and heroic legacies.

Students were encouraged to delve into the unyielding spirit and military strategies of historic Indian warriors, including King Kharavela of Kalinga, Prithviraj Chauhan, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the warriors of 1857, and leaders of Tribal Uprisings, among others.

This broad spectrum of topics not only elevated the quality of the entries but also deepened participants' comprehension of India's historical and cultural heritage.

In a significant expansion, CBSE-affiliated schools abroad participated in the initiative for the first time.

A total of 28,005 students from 91 schools across 18 countries submitted their entries, marking a significant milestone in sharing India's narratives of valor and national pride with a global audience, further enhancing the initiative's international reach, as stated by the Ministry of Defence.