In a significant push to strengthen youth engagement and national service, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth announced a massive expansion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) by adding three lakh new cadets across the country. The declaration was made during the inauguration of a key conference of Special Joint State Representatives and Additional/Deputy Directors General (JS R&A/D) of NCC held in Bhopal.
Addressing the gathering, Seth highlighted the transformative role of the NCC in fostering nationalism, discipline, and service among India’s youth. “The NCC instills a spirit of nationalism and service. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to raise the number of cadets to between 17 and 20 lakh. With the support of all states, we will soon achieve this target,” the minister said.
The Ministry of Defence later confirmed that several state governments have already shown support for the expansion and are fast-tracking the creation of training infrastructure to accommodate the growing numbers.
Seth also announced key reforms aimed at improving the organisation, including the recruitment of ex-servicemen as instructors, providing new employment opportunities for military veterans while enhancing training quality. He praised the NCC’s contributions to flagship national initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Naya Savera, and Nasha Mukti Abhiyan.
Commending the NCC’s recent achievements, Seth congratulated the cadet team that successfully summited Mount Everest on May 18. “It’s a powerful example of cadet courage and resilience,” he noted.
Underscoring the need for strong Centre-State cooperation, Seth called on state governments to meet their commitments in terms of manpower, infrastructure, and funding. He urged them to accelerate efforts to meet the targets of the NCC expansion plan.
Director General of NCC, Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, also addressed the conference and shared the organisation’s roadmap for growth. He emphasized the need for improved training and camping infrastructure and underlined plans to boost youth participation and cadet performance nationwide.
The Bhopal conference marks a pivotal moment for the NCC, reinforcing its role as a national pillar for youth development and defence preparedness.
