NCERT Adds Chapters on Indian War Heroes to School Syllabus

New Delhi: In a significant move to inspire students with tales of bravery and patriotism, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced new chapters on three Indian military legends — Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman, and Major Somnath Sharma — into the school curriculum.

According to the Ministry of Defence, these additions have been made to the following NCERT textbooks:

Class 8 (English): Major Somnath Sharma

Class 8 (Urdu): Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

Class 7 (Urdu): Brigadier Mohammad Usman

Highlighting India’s Military Legacy

These chapters aim to provide students with inspirational life stories rooted in valor, discipline, and sacrifice. The initiative also supports the government’s broader effort to integrate India’s military history into the mainstream educational system.

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, India’s first Field Marshal, is celebrated for his leadership during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Brigadier Mohammad Usman, posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, led crucial operations in Jhangar and Poonch during the 1947-48 war in Kashmir.
Major Somnath Sharma, India’s first Param Vir Chakra awardee, heroically defended Budgam, blocking Pakistani forces from reaching Srinagar during the same conflict.

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National War Memorial Curriculum Integration

This curriculum update is also part of an initiative to establish the National War Memorial (NWM) as a central part of India’s collective memory. Built to honor all soldiers who laid down their lives post-Independence, the NWM was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25, 2019, near India Gate in New Delhi.

The Ministry of Education and NCERT have collaborated with the Ministry of Defence to incorporate NWM references in textbooks, ensuring that young minds learn about India’s military sacrifices and values like resilience, empathy, and emotional intelligence.

By embedding these heroic stories in school textbooks, the government hopes to educate, inspire, and instill patriotism among students, ensuring the sacrifices of India’s armed forces are never forgotten.

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