NCC To See Major Expansion With 3 Lakh New Cadets— What’s The Idea Behind It?

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is set to undergo a massive expansion, with the addition of three lakh new cadets nationwide, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth announced on Tuesday. The declaration was made during the inauguration of the Special Joint State Representatives and Additional/Deputy Directors General (JS R&A/D) Conference held in Bhopal.

Calling the NCC a vital instrument of youth development and national integration, Seth reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the organisation in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to raise the cadet strength to between 17 and 20 lakh.

Why is the government expanding the NCC now?

Seth described the expansion as part of a broader strategy to harness youth energy for nation-building and social responsibility. “The NCC instills a spirit of nationalism and service[…]With support from all states, we will soon achieve this target,” he said.

Several states have already committed to supporting the initiative by accelerating the development of training infrastructure and manpower support, according to a Ministry of Defence statement. The initiative also aligns with the government’s larger push to integrate youth into national initiatives and instill civic discipline at the grassroots.

The expansion plan also includes recruiting ex-servicemen as NCC instructors, which would enhances the training ecosystem and also provide employment opportunities for military veterans.

What challenges does the expansion face and how will they be addressed?

Director General of NCC, Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, underscored the need for robust training and camping infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of cadets. He urged all stakeholders to enhance logistics, facilities, and administrative support.

Sanjay Seth stressed centre-state cooperation as key to the success of the programme. He called on state governments to fulfill their commitments in providing land, funding, instructors, and logistical backing to ensure cadets receive high-quality training.