Lieutenant General S.L. Menezes was a distinguished Indian Army officer and military historian, celebrated for his leadership and intellectual contributions. As Commandant of the Indian Military Academy, he upheld high standards of discipline and integrity. His landmark work, "The Indian Army: A Historical Account from the Earliest Times to the Present Day," is a seminal exploration of the army's evolution, blending meticulous research with balanced narrative. Renowned for his strategic insights and efforts to preserve India's military heritage, Lt Gen Menezes' legacy continues to inspire both the defense community and military historians. 

The Lt Gen SL Menezes Memorial Essay Competition is a distinguished annual event organised by the United Service Institution of India (USI) to honour the legacy of Lt Gen SL Menezes, a visionary military leader and historian who significantly contributed to the study of India’s military history. The competition which commenced in 2016 is designed to encourage scholarly research and writing on topics of military, strategic, and national security importance. 

Open to officers of the Indian Armed Forces, as well as civilian scholars and academicians, the competition provides a platform for participants to present their insights and perspectives on contemporary and historical issues impacting national and global security. The essay topics are carefully chosen to reflect pressing concerns and emerging challenges in defence and geopolitics, encouraging innovative thinking and analysis. 

Essays, ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 words, must be original, personally written, and free from plagiarism. Submissions are made anonymous, with authors using a motto on their essays and including personal details in a sealed envelope. The essays are evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges based on their originality, depth of research, clarity of argument, and relevance to the topic. The winning essays are published in the USI Journal, and prizes, including the Gold Medal and cash awards of Rs 10,000/- for the first position, are announced in the USI Council Meeting held in Dec.  

The Lt Gen SL Menezes Memorial Essay Competition exemplifies USI’s commitment to fostering intellectual growth, preserving military heritage, and encouraging thought leadership in the field of national security. Winners of essay competition: 

Topic for 2024: Meghna Heli Bridging Ops 1971 War : Appraisal and Lessons

Results 2024:

1.       The result of the Lt Gen Menezes Essay Competition – 2024 is placed below. 

Other Year Results:-