Lieutenant General Virendra Vats, YSM, SM, VSM, Director General of the National Cadet Corps, paid a courtesy call on Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at Uttarakhand Sadan in New Delhi, where the two held detailed discussions on strengthening and expanding the NCC’s presence across the state.
The meeting focused on increasing the reach of the National Cadet Corps in Uttarakhand, particularly in border districts, remote regions and areas where access to structured youth development programmes remains limited. The discussions also covered the requirement for modern infrastructure, improved training facilities and the expansion of NCC units to accommodate a larger number of students.
During the interaction, Lieutenant General Virendra Vats highlighted the importance of establishing new NCC units and expanding existing formations in border and remote areas of Uttarakhand. He said such initiatives would enable more young people from geographically isolated regions to join the organisation and benefit from its training in discipline, leadership, physical fitness and national service.
The Director General also briefed the Chief Minister on the NCC’s future plans for the state. These included the development of modern training infrastructure, strengthening of existing facilities and improving the resources available to cadets and instructors.
A key proposal discussed during the meeting was the establishment of an NCC Academy in Uttarakhand. The proposed academy is expected to provide dedicated facilities for institutional training, leadership development, adventure activities, physical conditioning and specialised camps for cadets.
Such an academy could also serve as a central training hub for NCC units operating across the state, helping standardise training practices and improve coordination between different formations. The development of a permanent training institution would be particularly significant for Uttarakhand, which has a strong military tradition and a large number of young people aspiring to join the Armed Forces and other uniformed services.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed the state government’s commitment to the holistic development of young people through programmes that promote patriotism, discipline, leadership and a spirit of service.
He described the National Cadet Corps as a prestigious youth organisation that plays an important role in nation-building. The Chief Minister said NCC training helps develop national character, self-confidence, leadership abilities and social responsibility among students.
Dhami noted that the organisation provides young people with opportunities to participate in community service, disaster response, adventure activities, national integration camps and structured leadership programmes. These experiences help cadets become responsible citizens capable of contributing positively to society.
The expansion of the NCC in Uttarakhand’s border regions is also expected to strengthen youth engagement in strategically important areas. By providing organised training and constructive opportunities, new NCC units could help connect students from remote communities with national-level programmes and institutions.
Uttarakhand’s mountainous terrain and scattered population often create challenges in providing equal access to training facilities. The proposed expansion of NCC units and infrastructure would therefore help bridge the gap between urban centres and remote districts.
The discussions also reflected the growing importance of equipping NCC cadets with modern training facilities suited to contemporary requirements. Better infrastructure could support activities related to disaster management, communication, cyber awareness, first aid, physical fitness and leadership development.
The National Cadet Corps has long played a significant role in encouraging young people to participate in national service and community development. Its training system combines military orientation with character-building activities, enabling cadets to develop qualities such as punctuality, teamwork, courage, responsibility and respect for diversity.
The meeting between Lieutenant General Virendra Vats and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is expected to provide further momentum to the planned expansion of NCC activities in Uttarakhand. The proposed initiatives could create new opportunities for thousands of students, especially those living in border and remote areas.
Both sides emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to strengthen the organisation’s reach and infrastructure in the state. The proposed NCC Academy, establishment of new units and modernisation of training facilities are expected to contribute significantly to youth empowerment and nation-building in Uttarakhand.
