New Delhi:
In a major move to integrate national security awareness into the educational framework, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is developing new modules on Operation Sindoor, India’s high-intensity military strike across the Pakistan border. These modules, which focus on the country’s decisive response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, are set to become part of the curriculum for Classes 3 to 12, according to officials in the Ministry of Education.
The initiative is part of NCERT’s broader effort to create awareness among schoolchildren about contemporary strategic developments and India’s growing military capabilities. According to sources, two separate modules are currently in the works—one tailored for students from Classes 3 to 8, and another for Classes 9 to 12.
Each module will span 8 to 10 pages and will detail the events leading up to and following Operation Sindoor, launched in the early hours of May 7, 2025. The operation was carried out as a retaliatory measure against a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed by militants. In response, India struck nine terror and military installations located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), showcasing its capability to execute swift and precise military action.
“Through these modules, students will learn how India responded firmly and strategically to terrorist provocations. It will help instill a sense of national pride and awareness of our military strength,” said an official from the Ministry of Education, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Operation Sindoor marked a significant escalation in India’s counter-terrorism strategy. The four-day confrontation involved extensive use of advanced military assets, including fighter aircraft, long-range missiles, drones, and heavy artillery. The offensive concluded on May 10, when both sides agreed to halt hostilities following diplomatic engagements.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a statement made in June, described Operation Sindoor as the logical successor to earlier military actions such as the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. He emphasized that the operation demonstrated India’s clear and resolute stance against terrorism and highlighted its capacity to impose serious costs on those who support cross-border attacks.
The decision to incorporate Operation Sindoor into the curriculum reflects a growing trend in NCERT’s recent educational approach, which includes the development of thematic modules on current affairs and national milestones. As of June 2025, NCERT has released 16 such modules on topics like ‘Viksit Bharat,’ ‘Nari Shakti Vandan,’ ‘G20 Summit,’ and ‘Chandrayaan Utsav.’
Future modules are expected to cover a diverse range of topics, including Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), India’s emergence as a space power, and the tragic legacy of the Partition. Among the upcoming content is a feature on astronaut Subhanshu Shukla’s journey to the International Space Station—a landmark achievement for Indian space exploration.
The social science textbooks have already started reflecting this shift. Notably, the Class 8 textbook includes a reference to the 2016 surgical strike, drawing a parallel with Maratha ruler Shivaji’s night raid on Mughal general Shaishta Khan’s camp—a strategic historical analogy aimed at helping students relate to contemporary military operations through India’s own history.
The modules on Operation Sindoor are expected to be finalized and rolled out in the coming months, offering students a unique insight into India’s evolving defence strategies and the role of the armed forces in safeguarding national security.
“This is not just about military tactics—it’s about building a deeper civic understanding of our nation’s response to threats and the value of strategic deterrence,” an NCERT official stated.
With this move, education policy continues to evolve in tandem with national priorities, ensuring students remain informed citizens in an increasingly complex global environment.
