Operation Sindoor, landmark space missions, and India’s growing strategic and environmental efforts are set to enter the school curriculum, as the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) develops two new educational modules aimed at instilling national awareness among students.

Sources in the Education Ministry confirmed that two separate modules are being prepared—one for students of Classes 3 to 8 and the other for Classes 9 to 12. Each module will be approximately eight to ten pages long and will introduce key national milestones in defence, diplomacy, space, and climate action.

A major highlight is the inclusion of Operation Sindoor, India’s swift and strategic response to the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year. While detailed operational aspects will remain classified, the mission will serve as a case study of India’s military preparedness and coordinated inter-ministerial action.

“The aim is to help students understand the significance of national security, the role of armed forces, and how various ministries work together to protect the country,” a senior official from the ministry said.

The curriculum will also include chapters on India’s space achievements—particularly Chandrayaan, Aditya L1, and the recent International Space Station (ISS) mission undertaken by Indian Air Force pilot Shubhanshu Shukla as part of Axiom Mission 4. These stories are expected to inspire scientific curiosity and interest in aerospace careers.

Another key addition is Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), the flagship climate initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The modules will explain how environmental responsibility and sustainability are now integral to India’s national agenda.

Additionally, NCERT plans to include a historical module on the horrors of Partition, aiming to give students a deeper understanding of the trauma of independence and the resilience that shaped modern India.

The Education Ministry has not announced a release date, but officials said the modules are likely to be introduced soon after completion. Schools across the country are expected to adopt them as part of the broader effort to make education more contextual and rooted in contemporary national developments.

India has gifted a fleet of 72 vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), marking a new milestone in bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries.

The symbolic handover took place at the President’s Office in Malé on July 25 during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official State visit to the Maldives. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu received the symbolic key from Prime Minister Modi in a brief ceremony held this afternoon.

This donation follows an agreement signed earlier this year between Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during Minister Ghassan’s official visit to India.

The vehicle consignment includes a diverse set of operational and utility platforms for MNDF:

• 8 27-seater buses
• 10 pickup trucks
• 10 mini-vans
• 10 vans
• 5 lorries
• 8 tractors
• 4 tipper dump trucks
• 4 backhoe loaders
• 2 cranes
• 6 mini excavators
• 5 excavators

India stated that the vehicle donation is part of its commitment to enhancing the operational readiness and logistical capability of the MNDF. The gift reflects the growing strategic partnership and defence cooperation between the two nations.

Officials from both sides expressed confidence that this initiative would help bolster regional security and capacity-building efforts in the Maldives.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has called the Pahalgam terror attack a watershed moment in India’s counter-terror strategy, stating it has fundamentally changed the way the country will respond to cross-border threats.

Speaking at the Kargil Vijay Diwas ceremony in Drass, General Dwivedi said the May 6–7 military operation targeting high-value assets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir was a direct response to the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians. He said the precision strike was designed to avoid civilian casualties while delivering a strong message to the masterminds and support networks behind cross-border terrorism.

The Army Chief noted that Indian forces remained on alert from May 7 to 9, prepared to counter any retaliatory action from across the Line of Control. He emphasized that the operation was part of a broader, coordinated strategy involving various security and intelligence agencies.

Outlining long-term structural changes, General Dwivedi announced the creation of integrated combat formations known as ‘Rudra’ brigades. These units bring together infantry, armoured elements, artillery, special forces, and drone platforms under a unified command structure. Two such brigades are already operational, signifying a shift from traditional role-specific brigades to flexible, multi-domain forces.

He also introduced newly raised light commando units called ‘Bhairav’ battalions, intended for swift and targeted actions along the frontier. Drone sections have been added to each infantry battalion, while artillery capabilities are being enhanced with long-range, remotely operated systems.

The Army’s air defence arm is also undergoing modernisation, with the integration of domestically developed systems to counter aerial threats. According to the Army Chief, all reforms are being implemented in coordination with the Navy, Air Force, and other government bodies, as part of a unified national defence posture.

A retired Indian Navy officer and 1971 war veteran, Navin Chandra Upadhyay, aged 85, has been missing for more than 40 days, sparking concern across northern states. Upadhyay disappeared while traveling from Palampur in Himachal Pradesh to Delhi on June 11, and has not been seen since.

CCTV footage confirms he reached Chandigarh, appearing at both Sector-43 and Sector-17 bus stands. He was last seen boarding a bus bound for Delhi. However, he never reached his destination. His last suspected location was near Singhpura bus stand in Zirakpur, where witnesses believe he may have been deboarded.

With no mobile phone, money, or identification documents on him, the search has proven increasingly difficult. His daughter, Monica Sharma, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, has been leading the family’s search through Punjab and Haryana. Despite extensive efforts across Chandigarh, Ambala, Zirakpur, and Karnal, there have been no confirmed sightings.

After minimal progress by local authorities, Monica escalated the matter to the Haryana Director General of Police. The case has now been handed over to the State Crime Branch. Officer Rajesh Kumar confirmed that Upadhyay’s photos have been circulated to police stations and old-age homes across the region.

Authorities have issued a public appeal requesting anyone with information or who spots an elderly man appearing disoriented to immediately contact the nearest police station or dial 112. The family remains hopeful for his safe return.

Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tewari, on Friday revealed that fewer than 50 precision weapons used by the IAF during Operation Sindoor were enough to compel Pakistan to request a cessation of hostilities.

Speaking at the closing session of a ‘Warfare and Aero Strategy Programme’ hosted by the Centre for Air Power Studies, an IAF-backed think-tank, the Vice Chief cited the strikes on 11 Pakistani air bases on May 10 as a prime example of air power’s effectiveness in modern conflict.

“We have discussed the cost-benefit ratio of air power. There is no greater example than Operation Sindoor. Less than 50 weapons brought the adversary to the talking table. This is a case that needs to be studied by scholars,” said Air Marshal Tewari.

The strikes, conducted on the fourth day of the conflict that began on May 7, involved long-range weapons, reportedly including BrahMos missiles, launched by IAF jets and ground-based platforms. Within hours of the May 10 operation, Pakistan reached out to the United States for mediation and later contacted Indian authorities to propose a ceasefire.

Air Marshal Tewari also discussed the evolving dynamics of air warfare, emphasizing that manned fighter jets would continue to play a critical role in coercive diplomacy. “A manned fighter jet can send the right signal and holds an edge over unmanned platforms, at least for now,” he stated.

At the same time, he acknowledged the increasing relevance of UAVs and armed drones, noting their destructive capabilities and growing role in modern-day battles.

The event was attended by top military leadership, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.

To mark the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas, the Indian Army is set to unveil three new projects on July 26 that aim to honour the valour of Indian soldiers and deepen public connection with the armed forces. The initiatives include a digital tribute platform, a QR-code based audio experience, and a strategic viewpoint near the Line of Control (LoC).

The first initiative, called the ‘e-Shradhanjali’ portal, will allow citizens to pay their respects online to the martyrs of the Indian Army. With just a few clicks, people from across the country can offer digital tributes to soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation. According to an Army official, the project seeks to increase public awareness about the sacrifices of the armed forces and the harsh realities they face in the line of duty.

The second project involves a QR code-enabled audio application that will narrate powerful stories from the 1999 Kargil War. The app offers an immersive, museum-like experience where users can scan codes and listen to accounts of heroic battles fought at places like Tiger Hill and Tololing. This initiative is designed to make the stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience more accessible and engaging for the public.

The third and perhaps most unique initiative is the opening of the Indus Viewpoint in the Batalik sector. This tourist-friendly location will give civilians a rare opportunity to witness the terrain and conditions near the LoC. Located at a high-altitude strategic zone, the viewpoint aims to foster a deeper sense of patriotism by offering a firsthand look at the challenges faced by soldiers stationed on the borders.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on July 26 to commemorate the Indian Army’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War, when it successfully recaptured key positions from Pakistani intruders during Operation Vijay. The Batalik sector, where the new viewpoint will be located, was one of the main battlegrounds of the war due to its crucial position between Kargil, Leh, and Baltistan.

These new projects are expected to not only honour the memory of fallen soldiers but also inspire greater public engagement with the Indian Army’s legacy of courage and sacrifice.