The NCC in India

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

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. Kunzrurecommended 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 than 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.

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N.C.C Seminar held on 16/2/2012