Students of classes 7 and 8 will now learn about Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman, and Major Somnath Sharma as chapters on the bravehearts have been included in the syllabus for this
academic session.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday made the announcement on social media. “Chapters on Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman and Major Somnath Sharma Introduced in NCERT syllabus,” (sic) he said on X.
Chapters on Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman and Major Somnath Sharma Introduced in NCERT syllabus. https://t.co/bk2HJ6aAWr
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) August 7, 2025
According to a government press release, chapters on the lives and sacrifices of Field Marshal Manekshaw, Brig Usman, and Maj Sharma have been added to the NCERT syllabus in this academic year for students of classes 7 and 8 in Urdu-medium schools, as well as students of class 8 in English-medium schools.
“The newly introduced chapters aim to provide students with inspirational narratives of courage and duty,” the press release said.
It said Field Marshal Manekshaw, India’s first officer to be conferred the rank of Field Marshal, is remembered for his exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. Brig Usman and Major Sharma, both recipients of the Mahavir Chakra and Param Vir Chakra (posthumously), laid down their lives in service of the nation and remain symbols of supreme sacrifice, it added.
This is part of the effort to establish the National War Memorial (NWM) as a prominent national landmark, and for which the defence ministry has partnered with education ministry and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
“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,” the press release said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the National War Memorial to India on February 25, 2019. It is located in the iconic Central Vista ‘C’ Hexagon at India Gate. 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”.
