India’s War Legends Enter The Classroom: Sam Manekshaw, Brig Usman, Somnath Sharma Now In NCERT Syllabus

In a landmark move to honour India’s military heroes and bring their stories into classrooms, the NCERT has introduced chapters on the lives of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman, and Major Somnath Sharma in school textbooks from this academic year.

The new chapters have been added to Class VIII (English), Class VIII (Urdu), and Class VII (Urdu), respectively. The initiative is aimed at inspiring students through real-life stories of courage, leadership, and sacrifice, while also strengthening their understanding of India’s military history.

The move is part of a broader collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Education, and the National Council of Educational Research and Training to integrate the National War Memorial (NWM) and related themes into the school curriculum.

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who played a pivotal role in India’s 1971 victory and was the first officer to be appointed Field Marshal, features in the English-language chapter.

Brigadier Mohammad Usman, who famously chose India over Pakistan during Partition and died fighting in the 1947–48 Kashmir war, is covered in the Urdu textbook for Class VIII.

Major Somnath Sharma, India’s first Param Vir Chakra awardee, is remembered for his bravery during the Battle of Badgam and features in Class VII (Urdu).

Officials said the inclusion of these chapters will do more than just teach students about military history, it will also help instil values like resilience, empathy, emotional intelligence, and a sense of duty toward the nation.

By introducing these stories into classrooms, the government hopes to build a stronger sense of patriotism, national spirit, and belonging among the next generation.