The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has joined forces with CyberPeace to unveil the fifth edition of Eraksha, setting the stage for a nationwide movement focused on artificial intelligence and digital safety. The 2025 edition carries the powerful theme 'AI for Peace and Safety', reflecting the growing importance of ethical technology use among young Indians.
Eraksha 2025: Building Cyber Warriors of Tomorrow
This groundbreaking initiative represents a significant step in preparing India's youth for the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. The competition aims to create awareness about responsible AI usage, cybersecurity threats, and online safety measures among students across the country. Major Vineet Kumar, Founder and Global President of CyberPeace, emphasized the program's critical timing as AI technologies become increasingly integrated into daily life.
The Eraksha competition will engage students through multiple creative formats, including poster making, comic creation, and short film production. These activities are designed to help participants understand complex cybersecurity concepts while expressing their perspectives on digital safety. The program specifically targets school children from classes 1 through 12, making cybersecurity education accessible to all age groups.
Comprehensive Competition Structure and Timeline
The national competition follows a well-structured timeline with registration opening in January 2025 and concluding with award ceremonies in July 2025. Participants will compete in four distinct categories based on their educational levels: Sub-junior (classes 1-5), Junior (classes 6-8), Senior (classes 9-10), and Super Senior (classes 11-12). This tiered approach ensures age-appropriate challenges and learning outcomes for all participants.
Professor Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director of NCERT, highlighted the organization's commitment to creating cyber-aware citizens who can navigate the digital landscape safely. The collaboration between NCERT and CyberPeace brings together educational expertise and cybersecurity knowledge to address one of the most pressing issues facing young internet users today.
Addressing Modern Digital Challenges
The 2025 edition of Eraksha comes at a crucial time when children and teenagers face numerous digital threats, including cyberbullying, online grooming, phishing attacks, and AI-generated content risks. The program's focus on AI ethics is particularly relevant as generative AI tools become more accessible to young users. Through creative expression and competition, Eraksha aims to build resilience and critical thinking skills among students.
Major Vineet Kumar stressed the importance of early education in cybersecurity, noting that prevention through awareness is more effective than dealing with consequences after incidents occur. The program incorporates practical knowledge about identifying potential threats, understanding privacy settings, and recognizing manipulative online behavior.
Previous editions of Eraksha have successfully reached thousands of students across India, creating a growing community of digitally literate young citizens. The 2025 edition builds on this foundation while introducing new elements focused specifically on artificial intelligence and its implications for personal safety and national security.
Educational institutions across India are encouraged to participate in this initiative, which aligns with the National Education Policy's emphasis on comprehensive student development. The competition not only enhances cybersecurity awareness but also fosters creativity, critical thinking, and responsible digital citizenship among the participants.
