NCC expansion in coastal, border areas

New Delhi, August 16

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the proposal to expand the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in 173 border and coastal districts from where one lakh new cadets will be inducted, an official statement said on Sunday.

The expansion of the NCC was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech on Saturday. 

The Defence Ministry’s statement said Singh had approved the NCC proposal “for a major expansion scheme”.

“More than 1,000 schools and colleges have been identified in border and coastal districts where NCC will be introduced,” it said. A total of one lakh cadets from 173 border and coastal districts would be inducted into the NCC, it said, adding that one-third of them would be girls.

“As part of the expansion plan, a total of 83 NCC units will be upgraded (Army 53, Navy 20, Air Force 10) to impart training to cadets in the border and coastal areas,” the ministry noted.

The Army will provide training and administrative support to the NCC units located in border areas, the Navy will provide support to those in coastal areas and the Air Force will help those close to its stations.

The NCC expansion plan will be implemented in partnership with state governments, the ministry said. — PTI