The landmark Indian Army event, the “Battle of Minds – Indian Army Quiz 2023”, celebrating the 25th anniversary of India's victory in the Kargil War, concluded with its final round at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi, held on December 3, 2023. The four-month-long inter-school quiz competition witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 32,000 schools participating nationwide, making it a historic and largest-ever quiz contest in the country.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

The final round of 'Battle of Minds' – Indian Army Quiz 2023, witnessed St John's School BLW, Varanasi emerge victorious. The event was graced by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, as the Chief Guest. He, along with General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff and Archana Pande, President, Army Wives Welfare Association felicitated the winners. Prizes for the participants included cash awards, certificates, tablets and a mini school bus to the winning team.

As part of myriad events commemorating 25th year of Kargil Vijay Divas celebrations, the quiz competition celebrated the victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the Kargil War, rendering a heartfelt tribute to the bravery and courage of those who made that victory possible.

General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff

The initiative commenced its journey in August this year, wherein 32,441 schools registered for the event. The competition comprised online and offline rounds, including quarter and semi-finals, held across the length and breadth of India. Teams of four students, aged 10 to 16 years, from each school participated.

Key highlights of the competition included:

• An inaugural online round with 3,600 schools qualifying for the next round.
• Quarter Finals were conducted at 12 locations nationwide extending from Srinagar in the North to Bengaluru in the South and Narangi, Guwahati in the East to Kota in the West.
• A Special Round was held in physical mode on October 7, 2023 at the Kargil War Memorial, as a Special Commemoration Round for Indian Army's victory in the Kargil War. 12 local schools participated in this Special Round, which provided an opportunity to the students to compete in presence of war heroes immortalized at the War Memorial. The winner of this round was given a wild card entry for the Northern Command Quarter-Finals.
• Command level semi-finals were conducted in Srinagar, Chandimandir, Kota, Dehradun, Chennai, and Shillong. 12 top teams were eventually selected for participation in the finals.

The final event, conducted in New Delhi today, was not just a test of knowledge, but also a cultural showcase, featuring performances from four Army Public Schools in the NCR. The event, attended by an audience of around 800, including students, teachers, parents and distinguished guests from various sectors, was a testament to the spirit of learning and competition.

In their addresses, Chief Guest Rajeev Chandrasekhar and General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff expressed their delight and pride in the event's success, underscoring the Indian Army's commitment to nurturing intellectual growth and leadership among the youth. The event will also motivate bright young students to take up Army as a career option.

In an evocative blend of homage and innovation, “Battle of Minds – Indian Army Quiz 2023” emerges as a powerful catalyst, propelling the nation's youth towards enlightenment and empowerment. As symbolized by its poignant logo, this visionary stride honours the spirit of the victory in the Kargil War and cements the Indian Army's commitment to a future where unity, knowledge, and curiosity converge – further reinforcing a sense of commitment towards a strong, progressive and united India.