In a landmark decision, the Maharashtra government has announced that basic military training will be introduced for students starting from Class 1. The initiative, unveiled by State School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, is designed to instill a sense of patriotism, discipline, and physical fitness in children from an early age.
Minister Bhuse stated that the program will be carried out with the help of retired army personnel, school sports teachers, NCC (National Cadet Corps) officials, and members of the Scouts and Guides. “This decision has been taken to instil love for the country and encourage daily habits like physical exercise and disciplined living, which will greatly benefit students in the long run,” Bhuse explained.
The initiative has received support from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and the state plans to deploy over 2.5 lakh ex-servicemen across schools to ensure its effective implementation.
The decision comes at a time of heightened national security awareness, particularly following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 and India’s strong military response under Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Adding to the national security backdrop, India has recently conducted extensive civil defence exercises such as ‘Operation Abhyas’ on May 7 and ‘Operation Shield’ on May 31. These nationwide drills aimed to prepare citizens and local authorities for potential emergency situations, reflecting the country’s broader focus on strategic preparedness.
Maharashtra’s military training initiative for students is seen as a key part of this wider national effort to cultivate a culture of readiness and resilience, beginning at the grassroots level with the youngest citizens.
