National Cadet Corps (India)

National Cadet Corps
Active	April 16, 1948 - present
Role	Student Uniformed Group
Size	1,300,000[1]
Headquarters	DG NCC, R.K. Puram, New delhi
Motto	एकता और अनुशासन Unity and Discipline
Website	nccindia.nic.in
Commanders
Director General	Lieutenant General PS Bhalla, AVSM

The National Cadet Corps (Hindi: राष्ट्रीय कैडेट कोर) is the Indian military cadet corps with its Headquarters at New Delhi. It is open to school and college students on voluntary basis. National Cadet Corps is a Tri-Services Organization, comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force, engaged in grooming the youth of the country into disciplined and patriotic citizens. The National Cadet Corps in India is a voluntary organization which recruits cadets from high schools, colleges and Universities all over India. The Cadets are given basic military training in small arms and parades. The officers and cadets have no liability for active military service once they complete their course but are given preference over normal candidates during selections based on the achievements in the corps.

Mission

The aims of N.C.C. are as per below:

• To Develop Character, Comradeship, Discipline, Leadership, Secular Outlook, Spirit of Adventure, and Ideals of Selfless Service amongst the Youth of the Country.
• To Create a Human Resource of Organized, Trained and Motivated Youth, To Provide Leadership in all Walks of life and be Always Available for the Service of the Nation.
• To Provide a Suitable Environment to Motivate the Youth to Take Up a Career in the Armed Forces.^[2]

History

NCC parade

The NCC in India was formed with the National Cadet Corps Act of 1948. It was raised on 15 July 1948. The origin of NCC can be traced back to the ‘University Corps’, which was created under the Indian Defence Act 1917, with the object to make up the shortage of the Army. In 1920, when the Indian Territorial Act was passed, the ‘University Corps’ was replaced by the University Training Corps (UTC). The aim was to raise the status of the UTC and make it more attractive to the youth. The UTC Officers and cadets dressed like the army. It was a significant step towards the Indianisation of armed forces. It was rechristened in the form of UOTC so the National Cadet Corps can be considered as a successor of the University Officers Training Corps (UOTC) which was established by the British Government in 1942. During World War II, the UOTC never came up to the expectations set by the British. This led to the idea that some better schemes should be formed, which could train more young men in a better way, even during peace. A committee headed by Pandit H.N. Kunzru recommended a cadet organization to be established in schools and colleges at a national level. The National Cadet Corps Act was accepted by the Governor General and on 15 July 1948 the National Cadet Corps came into existence.

In 1949, the Girls Division was raised in order to give equal opportunities to school and college going girls. The NCC was given an inter-service image in 1950 when the Air Wing was added, followed by the Naval Wing in 1952. Same year, the NCC curriculum was extended to include community development/social service activities as a part of the NCC syllabus at the behest of Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who took keen interest in the growth of the NCC. Following the Chinese Aggression, to meet the requirement of the Nation, the NCC training was made compulsory in 1963. In 1968, the Corps was again made voluntary.^[3]

During Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 & Indo-Pakistani war of 1971, NCC cadets were second line of defense. They organized camp to assist ordnance factories, supplying arms and ammunition to the front and also were used as patrol parties to capture enemy paratroopers. The NCC cadets also worked hand in hand with the Civil defense authorities and actively took part in rescue works and traffic control.^[4]

After 1965 and 1971 wars NCC syllabus was revised. Rather then just being second line of defense, NCC syllabus laid greater stress on developing quality of leadership and officer like qualities. The military training which the NCC cadets received was reduced and greater importance was given to other areas like social service and youth management.

Organization

At the Headquarters level, this organization is headed by an officer of the rank of Lieutenant General. He is the Director General of the NCC. Two other officers of the rank of Major General, five Brigadier level officers and other civil officials assist him. The Headquarters is located in Delhi. There are 16 Directorates^[5] located in the state capitals headed by an officer of the rank of a Brigadier from the three Services. Depending upon the size of the state and growth of NCC in the states, Directorates have up to 14 Group Headquarters under them through which they exercise their command and control of the organisation in the state. Each group is headed by an officer of the rank of Colonel or equivalent known as Group Commander. Each NCC Group Headquarters control 5-7 units(Bns) commanded by Lt. Colonel/Major or equivalent. Each Battalion consists of companies which are commanded by the Associate NCC Officer(ANO) of the rank of lieutenant to major. In all there are 91 Group Headquarters in the country who exercise control over a network of 658 Army Wing Units(including technical and girls unit), 58 Naval Wing Units and 58 Air Squadrons. There are two training establishments namely Officers Training School, Kamptee and Women Officers Training School, Gwalior.

'Directorates'

Directorates
Andhra Pradesh
Bihar & Jharkhand
Delhi
Gujarat Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Jammu & Kashmir
Karnataka & Goa
Kerala & Lakshdweep
Maharashtra
Madhya Pradesh & Chhatishgarh
Orissa
North East Region
Punjab, Hariyana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu,Puducherry,Andaman & Nicobar
Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal & Sikkim

Units

These 16 directorates are divided in total of 774 units divided in three service groups Army, Naval and Air. Out of those 657 are Army, 59 Naval and 58 Air units.^[6]

Types of units and their numbers are given below:

Type of Unit	Number
ARMD SQN	22
ARTY REGT	02
ARTY BTY	20
ENGR REGT	02
ENGR COY	11
SIG REGT	01
SIG COY	13
MED BN	02
MED COY	11
R&V REGT	03
R&V COY	15
EME BN	02
EME COY	06
CTR	11
CTC	12
INF BN	369
INF INDEP COY	46
GIRLS BN	97
GIRLS INDEP COY	12

Arms

• HQ: HQ NCC,DTE,Group HQ,BN & COYHQ
• ARMY: Technical(Engineers, Signals, Medical, EME, CTR),:Non Technical(Infantry, Armoured & ARTY)
• AIR: Flying & Technical
• NAVY: Unit, Naval Tech., Medical, DAS
• TRG: OTA- Gwalior & OTA- Kamptee^[7]

Strength

• Army: Each battalion or unit of NCC consists of a number of platoons or coy. For senior division boys each platoon consists of 52 cadets and each coy consists 160 cadets. Each BN has 4 to 7 coys so each BN carries around 640 to 1120 cadets. A senior wing girls BN consists of 2 to 7 coy means a total of 320 to 1120 cadets. For junior division boys and junior wing girls each troop has 100 cadets and each BN has at least one troop.

• Navy: For senior division boys each BN or unit consists of 4 to 8 divisons and each division consists of 50 cadets. For senior wing girls similar arrangement exists as of senior division boys. For junior division boys and junior wing girls each BN has a troop of 100 cadets.

• Air: For senior division boys and senior wing girls each unit consists of at least 2 fleets each consists of 100 cadets. So each unit known as Squadron carries around 200 cadets. For junior wing girls and junior division boys each squadron has a troop consisted of 100 cadets.

However, each unit can have up to 24 troops of senior division boys expanding their strength to 2400 cadets but this is maximum limit.

Personnel

Cadet Ranks

Army	Navy	Air Force
Senior Under Officer	Senior Cadet Captain	Senior Under Officer
Under Officer	Junior Cadet Captain	Cadet Under Officer
Company Q/M Sergeant	Petty Officer SM	Warrant Officer
Sergeant	Leader Cadet	Sergeant
Corporal	Cadet Class I	Corporal
Lance Corporal	Cadet Claas II	Leading Flight Cadet
Cadet	Cadet	Cadet

JD boys and JW girls are given ranks up to Sergeant. Only SD boys and SW girls are given ranks above Sergeant.

Associate NCC Officer

ANO is an important link in the NCC organization between the Bn and the cadets. As amatter of fact, ANO is the feeder node of NCC since he / she is the one who is in direct contact with the cadets all throughout the year. There are two training establishments namely Officers Training School, Kamptee and Women Officers Training School, Gwalior. These two institutions train the school and college teachers selected to head the company/troop. Courses in these institutions range from 21 days to 90 days in duration.

Associate NCC Officers are given following ranks according to their seniority and their training.

• For colleges(in charge of SD & SW):

1. Major
2. Captain
3. Lieutenant

• For schools(in charge of JD & JW):

1. Chief Officer(equivalent of Subedar Major)
2. 1st Officer
3. 2nd Officer
4. 3rd Officer

Uniform

Army cadets wear khaki uniform. Naval cadets wear white uniform of Navy. Air Force cadets wear blue uniform similar to the Air Force. The uniform is compulsory on all the occasions.

Cadets from SD boys Army wing wear khaki shirt and trousers & cadets from JD wear khaki shirt & khaki shorts. Girl cadets from SW & JW both wear khaki shirt and trousers. Cadets from SD boys Naval wing wear white shirt and white trousers & JD boys wear white shirt and white shorts. Boys from Naval wing also wear Navy blue shirt and trousers occasionally. Girls from Naval wing SW & JW wear white shirt and trousers. Cadets from SD boys Air wing wear light blue shirts and trousers & JD cadets wear light blue shirts and trousers. Girls from SW and JW wear light blue shirts and trousers.

In addition to these SW & JW cadets wear white salwar and kamiz during activities other then parade. Rifle green beret is compulsory for all the cadets except Sikh cadets who wear rifle green turban. For physical training cadets wear brown canvas shoes and for drills black leather shoes. Woolen vests are compulsory in cold areas.

Training

Total training period for SD and SW is 2 years with an extension of 1 year permissible & training period for JD & JW 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. 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. Every cadet during the training year to attend an annual training camp of 14 days duration in the case of Senior Division and of 10 days duration in the case of a Junior Division.

Activities

Republic Day Camp (RDC)

• NCC Republic Day Camp is the culmination of all NCC Training activities. RDC is held at Garrison Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt from 01 to 29 Jan. 1850 selected NCC Cadets from all States & Union Territories attend the Camp. The Camp is inaugurated by the Vice President of India and culminates with Prime Minister's Rally on 27 Jan.^[8]

• During the camp visit of Raksha Mantri, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Minister Delhi, three Service Chiefs and various State Ministers/VIPs are also organised.

• During the RDC, various competitions are conducted amongst the 16 NCC Directorates to decide the Champion Directorate for award of Prime Minister's Banner. Competitions are keenly contested in various events such as National Integration Awareness, Drill, Line & Flag Area, Cultural items, Best Cadet of Senior Division (Boys) and Senior Wing (Girls) in each Service - Army, Navy & Air. Aero modelling and Ship modelling are also conducted during RDC.

References

1. ^ "Size of NCC". http://nccindia.nic.in/rti/pc.pdf. 
2. ^ "Aim of NCC". D.G. NCC.. http://nccindia.nic.in/Aim.htm. 
3. ^ "Handbook NCC". Directorate of Tamil Nadu. http://www.tn.gov.in/rti/proactive/ywsd/handbook_NCC.pdf. 
4. ^ "Paramilitary Forces of India". Mr.M.C. Sharma. http://books..co.in/books?id=Kh4VLl1WgqgC&pg=PA300&lpg=PA300&dq=ANO+in+NCC+ranks&source=bl&ots=Z1Vti-QBqV&sig=a2DVLtDRs5oGOI8ZWDTcTJcZYbY&hl=en&ei=ZWS1ToLlC4jwrQeirNWOBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CF8Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=ANO%20in%20NCC%20ranks&f=false. 
5. ^ "Directorates". Government of India. http://nccindia.nic.in/rti/pc.pdf. 
6. ^ "RTI application". NCC, India. http://nccindia.nic.in/rti/pc.pdf. 
7. ^ "RTI". NCC. http://nccindia.nic.in/rti/pc.pdf. 
8. ^ "Republic Day Camp". NCC. http://nccindia.nic.in/camp_training.htm. 

NCC OTA Kamptee Maharashtra Directorate Delhi Directorate Punjab Directorate Andhra Pradesh Directorate Kerala Directorate Jammu & Kashmir Directorate Gujarat Directorate Orissa Directorate