NCERT’s Operation Sindoor Module: Teaching India’s Bold Response to Terror in Classrooms
On July 26, 2025, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) announced a bold educational endeavor: a dedicated module on Operation Sindoor for students of Classes 3 to 12. This 8-10 page case study, which is almost complete, will teach young Indians about India’s precision airstrikes against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 tourists. It is organized in two versions for age-appropriateness. While the purpose is to evoke national pride and strategic knowledge, it is not without controversy. As Parliament deliberates whether to endorse the operation in retrospect, we should consider the motivation behind NCERT bringing a military milestone into Indian classrooms, and what this means for our education system. Join us as we explore this paradigm shift in curriculum at this critical juncture.
The Module: A Lesson in National Security
The Operation Sindoor module, which has been developed following the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020 and per the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) of 2023, purposefully aims to sensitize students about India’s military might and strategic nuances diplomatically. Content offered to students in Classes 3 to 8 simplifies the concept of the operation into the stories of courage, nationalism, and valor shown by the armed forces. The text work with students in classes 9 to 12 explain in detail the strategic significance and responsiveness taken by India, inter-linking the ministries to respond collectively, as well as the diplomatic response globally against Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack. “The objective is to help students see how nations destroy terror using strategy and synergy, as well as resolve,” an official from the Ministry of Education told The Hindu. The module, which is around 8-10 pages in length, will be offered as a stand-alone case study, not as a normal part of the curricular work, and as a supplement to this material, there will be digital material on the DIKSHA e-learning platform which includes videos, quizzes, and interactive projects aimed at fostering critical thinking.
Context: The Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor
The module is based on the tragic incident of April 22, 2025, in which 26 tourists were murdered in a brutal execution-style terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, involving precision strikes on nine terrorist and military capabilities across the Line of Control (LoC), beginning a four day clash with Pakistan. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the day of the scale of attack in June 2025 as a “natural progression” of the 2016 surgical strikes and 2019 Balakot airstrikes, particularly with the way in which Pakistan requested a ceasefire on May 10. Along with which, it was impressive to note, as SSB Crack Exams mentioned, that India’s military precision demonstrated that India only used fewer than 50 precision weapons in the operation. The NCERT module frames this in the context of asserting India’s resolve in countering cross-border terrorism, since this was, ultimately, directly aligned with the government’s policy towards national security.
Broader Curriculum Goals
Operation Sindoor is a component of the broader NCERT initiative to incorporate modern accomplishments into the classroom. Students will be inspired by modules on Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), the atrocities of Partition, and India’s space achievements, including Chandrayaan, Aditya L1, and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s visit to the International Space Station. These complement the focus on national pride and experiential learning in NEP 2020. NCERT’s intention to incorporate military history into curricula is evident from the Class 8 social science textbook, which already makes reference to the 2016 surgical strike and compares it to Shivaji’s raid on Mughal camps. In order to address concerns about talking about war with young students, teacher training programs are designed to ensure that military subjects are handled sensitively.
Political and Public Reactions
Responses to the initiative have been divided. According to India Today, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan praised it as a means of educating students about “India’s bold decisions.”@Indian_Analyzer called it an opportunity to teach “how nations crush terror,” while @Vishal0700 commended NCERT for showcasing “India’s military strength and strategic brilliance.” Congressman Udit Raj, however, attacked the module, saying it exalts a faulty operation and that the government had previously tipped off adversaries. Political overtones are a concern for critics, who are echoed in posts such as @newkerala’s remarks. They contend that military history requires nuance and balance rather than a “victory narrative.” Others, such as educators, are concerned about making mistakes in the classroom and demand appropriate training to deal with delicate subjects.
Implications for Education and Politics
There are concerns regarding the module’s political intent given that it was scheduled to coincide with a 16-hour Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor beginning on July 28, 2025. The curriculum addition could strengthen the BJP’s national security narrative ahead of state elections, as speakers include External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Supporters see it as a patriotic boost for young minds, while critics say it runs the risk of politicizing education. Although the module’s emphasis on coordination and diplomacy may refute opposition allegations of intelligence failures, its short (8–10 pages) length has drawn criticism for being shallow. According to Sangbad Pratidin, states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand are considering it, while Rajasthan has already embraced similar content.
What’s Next?
The modules are being finalized by NCERT, and a release is anticipated shortly after the parliamentary discussion, possibly in August 2025. In order to engage students through projects and discussions, schools across the country will incorporate them as supplemental material, aided by digital tools on DIKSHA. The program has the potential to change how young people in India view national security, but its effectiveness depends on well-rounded instruction and prepared teachers. For better or worse, this module represents a daring attempt to link classrooms with current events as discussions rage.
