To be a NCC cadet is like being unique, hardworking, dedicated, punctual, and most of all, an achiever. It inculcates the attitude of never giving up, makes you optimistic and builds a lot of self-confidence and character. The life as a cadet is one of the best experiences one can ever have as it teaches them life as it is and shows how it is to be an officer in the Indian Armed Forces.
NCC, however is a bit underrated when it comes to joining the armed forces. As a matter of fact, NCC cadets live life like an officer without being a part of the premier Indian military training institutes like NDA and IMA.
Here is how it feels to live life as a NCC cadet:
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The total training period for a cadet is 3 years for seniors with an extension of 1 year permissible & training period for juniors is of 2 years. Every cadet of the Senior or Junior Division has to undergo service training for a period of at least 4 hours per week during the training year.
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However, no training is carried out during periods when the college or school through which a cadet is enrolled is closed for a vacation. Every cadet of the Senior and Junior Division has undergo service training for a minimum period of 75% of total hours during the annual college and school session.
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Every cadet (in case of JD, who has completed one full year of training and is in his second year) attends an annual training camp of 9–10 days, also known as National Combined Annual Training Camp. For SD/SW the duration is usually for up to 30 days. At the end of the camp training the cadets receive a certificate of successful completion.
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Unlike most of the military institutes like NDA or IMA, young girls are also allowed to join the corps giving them equal opportunities as that of boys. Infact, in most groups, girls are alloted a whole new and different unit.
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NCC takes part in Subroto Cup Football Tournament, Jawahar Lal Nehru Hockey Cup and Mavlankar Shooting Championship on regular basis. Other than this, NCC cadets take part in Mountaineering, Trekking, Cycle/Motorcycle Expeditions, Parachute Sailing, Para Courses, Slithering, Desert Safari and White Water Rafting. Seems like a good deal even while doing your graduation from outside, right?
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NCC also conducts Youth Exchange Programme. The aim of YEP is a country-to-country exchange of cadets belonging to NCC/equivalet Govt/Youth Organisations of friendly countries and participation in various activities and appreciation of each other’s socio-economic and cultural realities.
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It offers a whole new life of adventure as eight rock climbing camps are held each year to expose the cadets to the basics of elementary rock climbing and to inculcate spirit of adventure amongst cadets. Four of these camps are held at Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh and other four camps at Nayyardam near Trivandrum in Kerala.
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Apart from this, various other camps are also organised as follows: Republic Day Camp (RDC), Combined Annual Training Camps (CATC), National Integration Camp (NIC), Advance leadership course, Army Attachment Camp, Hiking And Trekking Camps, Thal Sainik Camp (TSC), Vayu Sainik Camp(VSC), Nau Sainik Camp(VSC), etc.
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And the best part, you have to attend the unit for parade, drills and practise only on weekends, that too, just for four hours!
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After getting your NCC ‘C’ certificate, you are eligible for direct SSB interview for the respective arms. So, direct entry!
On a final note, let me leave you with the pledge that every NCC cadet upholds to:
WE THE CADET OF THE NATIONAL CADET CORPS, DO SOLOEMNLY PLEDGE THAT WE SHALL ALWAYS UPHOLD THE UNITY OF INDIA. WE RESOLVE TO BE DISCIPLINED AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN OF OUR NATION. WE SHALL UNDERTAKE POSITIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE IN THE SPIRIT OF SELFLESSNESS AND CONCERN FOR OUR FELLOW BEINGS.
