The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is set to undergo a significant expansion as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has sanctioned the addition of 300,000 new cadets. This initiative is in response to the growing interest from educational institutions across India.
The Defence Ministry confirmed, "The NCC will be augmented by three lakh cadets, elevating its total strength to 20 lakh members, thereby becoming the world's largest youth uniformed group."
The expansion strategy includes the creation of four fresh "Group Headquarters" and the integration of two additional NCC units. This development aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, which recognizes the NCC as an elective subject, aiming to fulfill the ambitions of young Indians to become influential leaders.
The ministry anticipates that this expansion will ensure a balanced allocation of vacancies throughout all states and union territories, significantly reducing the backlog of institutions waiting to participate in the NCC program.
A key component of the growth plan is the engagement of retired servicemen as NCC instructors, capitalizing on their expertise and experience to provide high-caliber training to cadets and simultaneously creating job opportunities for these veterans.
The ministry expressed that this expansion is a testament to the commitment to nurture disciplined, leadership-oriented future leaders. The overarching goal of the NCC is to create a lasting impact by cultivating a culture where the youth actively contribute to the nation's development.
