NCERT adds chapters on Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman and Major Somnath Sharma
The Ministry of Defence said on 7 August 2025 that chapters on Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman and Major Somnath Sharma have been added to the NCERT syllabus this academic year.
Summary
Chapters on Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman and Major Somnath Sharma have been added to the NCERT syllabus this academic year, in Class VIII (Urdu), Class VII (Urdu) and Class VIII (English) respectively, the Ministry of Defence said on 7 August 2025. Manekshaw was India's first officer to be conferred the rank of Field Marshal, while Brigadier Usman and Major Sharma were posthumous recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra and Param Vir Chakra respectively. The step is part of a Defence Ministry partnership with the Ministry of Education and NCERT to bring the National War Memorial, dedicated to the nation on 25 February 2019, into the school curriculum.
Key facts
- Announced
- 7 Aug 2025, Ministry of Defence
- Sam Manekshaw
- Class VIII (Urdu); India's first Field Marshal
- Brig. Mohammad Usman
- Class VII (Urdu); Maha Vir Chakra (posthumous)
- Maj. Somnath Sharma
- Class VIII (English); Param Vir Chakra (posthumous)
- Partnership
- MoD with Ministry of Education and NCERT
- National War Memorial
- Dedicated 25 Feb 2019, India Gate 'C' Hexagon
Practice MCQs 2 questions
A chapter on which officer, India's first to be conferred the rank of Field Marshal, was added to the NCERT syllabus in 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Sam Manekshaw
A chapter on Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, India's first officer to be conferred the rank of Field Marshal, was added in Class VIII (Urdu).
Consider the following statements about the new NCERT chapters announced in August 2025: 1. Brigadier Mohammad Usman was a posthumous recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. 2. The chapter on Major Somnath Sharma has been added in the Class VIII English textbook. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: Brigadier Mohammad Usman received the Maha Vir Chakra (posthumously), while Major Somnath Sharma received the Param Vir Chakra (posthumously). Statement 2 is correct: the chapter on Major Somnath Sharma is in Class VIII (English).