National Cadet Corps (NCC) Director General Lt Gen Virendra Vats addresses the media in New Delhi on January 3, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI
From responding to the disaster during Operation Sindoor to molding disciplined youth at the national level, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) continues to play a pivotal role in nation building, NCC Director General Lt Gen Virendra Vats said on Saturday (January 3, 2026).
Addressing the media, Lt Gen Vats highlighted the growing footprint of the organisation, with NCC units now present in over 90 per cent of districts across the country, and highlighted its role in inculcating character, discipline and national integration among the youth. He also highlighted the strong and growing participation of girl cadets who now constitute 40 per cent of the nearly 20 lakh NCC.
He said around 75,000 NCC cadets assisted the civil administration during Operation Sindoor, providing vital support including medical assistance and voluntary blood donation, underscoring the organisation’s operational readiness and social commitment. (India launched an operation against Pakistan on 7 May 2025 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The conflict ended four days later.)
The Republic Day camp begins
The NCC Republic Day Camp (RDC) 2026 began in a lively and festive tone at the DG NCC Camp in Delhi Cantonment. A total of 2,406 cadets are participating in the camp, including 127 cadets from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and 131 cadets from the North Eastern region. Cadets and officers from 25 friendly foreign countries also participate in the youth exchange program.
He noted that by 2025, NCC had organized 1,665 annual training camps, six special national integration camps and 33 Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat camps besides enabling six lakh cadets to participate in the 150 years of Vande Mataram celebrations. NCC has also introduced drone flying training for cadets at four remote pilot training organizations.
Lt Gen Vats further highlighted the ongoing initiatives including a special sailing expedition around 21 uninhabited islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands dedicated to Param Vir Chakra awardees and cycling expeditions commemorating the legacy of Veer Birsa Munda and Peshwa Bajirao. In addition, about 94,400 NCC cadets from 315 districts will be trained under the Yuva Aapda Mitra program by March 2026 in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority.
Published – 03 Jan 2026 23:40 IST
