**Policy Summary:**
The Ministry of Defence (MoD), in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), has integrated chapters on Indian military heroes into the NCERT syllabus, effective this academic year. Specifically, chapters detailing the lives and sacrifices of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman, and Major Somnath Sharma have been introduced in Class VIII Urdu, Class VII Urdu, and Class VIII English textbooks, respectively. This initiative aims to inspire students with narratives of courage, duty, resilience, empathy, emotional intelligence, and nation-building.
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, India's first Field Marshal, is highlighted for his leadership. Brigadier Mohammad Usman and Major Somnath Sharma, posthumous recipients of the Mahavir Chakra and Param Vir Chakra respectively, are recognized for their supreme sacrifice.
This curriculum integration is part of a broader effort to promote the National War Memorial (NWM) as a national landmark and instill patriotism, high moral values, and a national spirit among citizens. The NWM, dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25, 2019, is located in the Central Vista 'C' Hexagon, India Gate, New Delhi.
Key Entities Referenced
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw: India's first officer conferred with the rank of Field Marshal, known for his leadership.
Brigadier Mohammad Usman: Recipient of the Mahavir Chakra, known for his sacrifice.
Major Somnath Sharma: Recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, known for his sacrifice.
NCERT: National Council of Educational Research and Training, responsible for the syllabus.
Ministry of Defence: Indian government ministry responsible for defence.
Ministry of Education: Indian government ministry responsible for education.
National War Memorial: Memorial in New Delhi dedicated to the nation in 2019.
New Delhi, Delhi: Location of the India Gate and the National War Memorial.
Ministry of Defence
Chapters on Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw,
Brigadier Mohammad Usman and Major Somnath
Sharma Introduced in NCERT syllabus
Posted On: 07 AUG 2025 6:12PM by PIB Delhi
Chapters on the lives and sacrifices of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman, and
Major Somnath Sharma have been added to the NCERT syllabus in this academic year, in Class VIII (Urdu),
Class VII (Urdu), and Class VIII (English), respectively.
The newly introduced chapters aim to provide students with inspirational narratives of courage and duty. Field
Marshal Sam Manekshaw, India’s first officer to be conferred the rank of Field Marshal, is remembered for
his exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. Brigadier Mohammad Usman and Major Somnath Sharma,
both recipients of the Mahavir Chakra and Param Vir Chakra respectively (posthumously), laid down their
lives in service of the nation and remain symbols of supreme sacrifice.
As part of efforts to establish National War Memorial (NWM) as a prominent national landmark, Ministry of
Defence has partnered with Ministry of Education and National Council of Educational Research and
Training (NCERT) to integrate NWM and related references into the school curriculum.
Through these stories and their inclusion in the curriculum, students will not only gain insights into India’s
military history but also absorb important life lessons on resilience, empathy, emotional intelligence, and the
importance of contributing to nation-building.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the National War Memorial to the nation on 25 February 2019,
located in the iconic Central Vista 'C' Hexagon, India Gate, New Delhi. The Memorial was established to
inculcate a sense of patriotism, high moral values, sacrifice, national spirit, and belongingness among all
citizens, while serving as a befitting tribute to our brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the
nation.
****
VK/SR/PS
(Release ID: 2153740)