NCC set for a major expansion to cover 173 border and coastal districts

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) for a major expansion scheme to meet the aspirations of youth in all the border and coastal districts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the proposals of the scheme in his Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15 (Saturday).

As part of the expansion scheme, a total of one lakh cadets from 173 border and coastal districts will be inducted in the NCC. It is learnt that one-third of the Cadets would be girl Cadets. Over 1000 schools and colleges have been identified in border and coastal districts where NCC will be introduced.          

"As part of the expansion plan, a total of 83 NCC units will be upgraded (Army 53, Navy 20, Air Force 10), to impart NCC training to the cadets in the border and coastal areas. Army will provide training and administrative support to the NCC units located in the border areas, Navy shall provide support to NCC units in the coastal areas and similarly Air Force will provide support to the NCC units located close to the Air Force stations," the Press Information Bureau said in a press release.

The youth selected under the new scheme will not get exposure of the border and coastal areas to military training and disciplined way of life but they will also get the motivation to join the armed forces. Notably, the NCC expansion plan will be implemented in partnership with the states.