The number of NCC cadets in the nation grew from 17 lakh to 20 lakh in 2024, with 40% of them being girls: DG NCC
18 friendly nations will send 135 cadets to take part in the Youth Exchange Program
INN/New Delhi, @Infodeaofficial
The biggest number of cadets to date, 2,361, are participating in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Republic Day Camp 2025, including 917 girls. DG NCC Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh told reporters at a news conference at Delhi Cantonment that cadets from all over the nation, including 114 from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and 178 from the Northeast Region, will be attending the month-long training. About 135 cadets from 18 friendly nations will take part in the camp as part of the Youth Exchange Program, he noted.
The cadets will engage in a variety of activities throughout the camp, including training and cultural competitions. The camp’s objectives are to expose cadets to India’s rich culture and customs, develop their character, and fortify their moral compass. Numerous dignitaries, including the Vice-President, Raksha Mantri, Raksha Rajya Mantri, the Chief Minister of Delhi, the Chief of Defence Staff, three Service Chiefs, and the Defence Secretary, will be visiting the camp. On January 26, 2025, a marching NCC contingent will also take part in the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path. The PM’s Rally, scheduled for January 27, 2025, will mark the conclusion of the events.
In his speech, the DG NCC outlined the organization’s significant accomplishments for 2024 and praised the fraternity members for their contributions to the nation’s successful completion of the largest uniformed youth organization in the world’s 76-year history. The number of NCC cadets has grown from 17 lakh to 20 lakh, with 40% of them being female, he emphasized. In addition, he stated that 33 Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Camps and six Special National Integration Camps were held in addition to the 1,162 Annual Training Camps to foster integration and fortify ties between cadets from different areas and cultures. NCC performed the following in addition to the standard adventure activities:
Special Mountaineering Trips to Mount Abi Gamin (Uttarakhand) and Mount Kang Yatse (Ladakh). 550 cadets embarked on a first-of-its-kind special sailing expedition across the Ganga and Hooghly, totaling 1,720 miles. A 3,045-kilometer sailing expedition from Mumbai to Visakhapatnam along the coast. 40 cadets traveled 410 kilometers in 14 days in a historical recreation of the Dandi March. From December 10–23, 2024, the Padyatra took place, ending at the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial in Dandi, Gujarat.
Over four lakh cadets participated in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to encourage cleanliness, while over eight lakh cadets attended the International Day of Yoga. In addition to trips to organizations like the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), and Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), this year’s cadets received training on modern topics including cyber awareness and crisis management.