National Cadet Corps (India)

The National Cadet Corps (राष्ट्रीय कैडेट कोर) is the Indian military cadet corps with its Headquarters at New Delhi. It is open to school and college students on voluntary basis. National Cadet Corps is a Tri-Services Organization, comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force, engaged in grooming the youth of the country into disciplined and patriotic citizens. The National Cadet Corps in India is a voluntary organization which recruits cadets from high schools, colleges and Universities all over India. The Cadets are given basic military training in small arms and parades. The officers and cadets have no liability for active military service once they complete their course but are given preference over normal candidates during selections based on the achievements in the corps.

History
NCC was firstly started in 1666 in Germany. 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. Kunzru recommended 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 1962 Sino-Indian War, to meet the requirement of the Nation, the NCC training was made compulsory in 1963. In 1968, the Corps was again made voluntary.

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.

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.

NCC Song
An Official Song of the NCC titled “Kadam Mila Ke Chal” was adopted in 1963. This was, however, changed to the current NCC Song titled “Ham Sabh Bhartiya Hain” in Oct 1982. “Ham Sabh Bhartiya Hain” - NCC song is written by Sudarshan Faakir Hum Sab Bharatiya Hain, Hum Sab Bharatiya Hain Apni Manzil Ek Hai, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ek Hai, Ho, Ho, Ho, Ek Hai. Hum Sab Bharatiya Hain. Kashmir Ki Dharti Rani Hai, Sartaj Himalaya Hai, Saadiyon Se Humne Isko Apne Khoon Se Pala Hai Desh Ki Raksha Ki Khatir Hum Shamshir Utha Lenge, Hum Shamshir Utha Lenge. Bikhre Bikhre Taare Hain Hum Lekin Jhilmil Ek Hai, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ek Hai Hum Sab Bharatiya Hai. Mandir Gurudwaare Bhi Hain Yahan Aur Masjid Bhi Hai Yahan Girija Ka Hai Ghadiyaal Kahin Mullah ki Kahin Hai Ajaan Ek Hee Apna Ram Hain, Ek hi Allah Taala Hai, Ek Hee Allah Taala Hain, Raange Birange Deepak Hain Hum, lekin Jagmag Ek Hai, Ha Ha Ha Ek Hai, Ho Ho Ho Ek Hai. Hum Sab Bharatiya Hain, Hum Sab Bharatiya Hain.

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 17 Directorates 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 95 Group Headquarters in the country who exercise control over a network of 667 Army Wing Units(including technical and girls unit), 60 Naval Wing Units and 61 Air Squadrons. There are two training establishments namely Officers Training School, Kamptee and Women Officers Training School, Gwalior.

Directorates
Uttarakhand

Units
These 17 directorates are divided in total of 788 units divided in three service groups Army, Naval and Air. Out of those 667 are Army, 60 Naval and 61 Air units.

Types of units and their numbers are given below:

Arms

 * HQ:   HQ NCC,DTE,Group HQ,BN & COYHQ
 * ARMY: Technical(Engineers, Signals, Medical, EME, CTR),:Non Technical(Infantry, Armoured & ARTY)
 * AIR:  Flying & Technical
 * NAVY: Unit, Naval Tech., Medical, DAS
 * TRG:  OTA- Gwalior & OTA- Kamptee

Strength

 * Army: Each battalion or unit of NCC consists of a number of platoons or coy. For senior division boys each platoon consists of 52 cadets and each coy consists 160 cadets. Each BN has 4 to 7 coys so each BN carries around 640 to 1120 cadets. A senior wing girls BN consists of 2 to 7 coy means a total of 320 to 1120 cadets. For junior division boys and junior wing girls each troop has 100 cadets and each BN has at least one troop.


 * Navy: For senior division boys each BN or unit consists of 4 to 8 divisions and each division consists of 50 cadets. For senior wing girls similar arrangement exists as of senior division boys. For junior division boys and junior wing girls each BN has a troop of 100 cadets.


 * Air: For senior division boys and senior wing girls each unit consists of at least 2 fleets each consists of 100 cadets. So each unit known as Squadron carries around 200 cadets. For junior wing girls and junior division boys each squadron has a troop consisted of 100 cadets.

However, each unit can have up to 24 troops of senior division boys expanding their strength to 2400 cadets but this is maximum limit.

Cadet Ranks
JD boys and JW girls are given ranks up to Sergeant. Only SD boys and SW girls are given ranks above Sergeant.

Associate NCC Officer
ANO is an important link in the NCC organization between the BN and the cadets. As amatter of fact, ANO is the feeder node of NCC since he / she is the one who is in direct contact with the cadets all throughout the year. There are two training establishments namely Officers Training Academy, Kamptee and Women Officers Training School, Gwalior. These two institutions train the school and college teachers selected to head the company/troop. Courses in these institutions range from 21 days to 90 days in duration.

Associate NCC Officers are given following ranks according to their seniority and their training.
 * For colleges(in charge of SD & SW):
 * 1) Major
 * 2) Captain
 * 3) Lieutenant


 * For schools(in charge of JD & JW (equivalent commissioned Officer)):
 * 1) Chief Officer
 * 2) 1st Officer
 * 3) 2nd Officer
 * 4) 3rd Officer



Uniform


Army cadets wear khaki uniform. Naval cadets wear white uniform of Navy. Air Force cadets wear light blue grey (LBG) uniform. The uniform is compulsory on all the occasions.

Cadets from SD boys Army wing wear khaki full sleeve shirt and trousers & cadets from JD wear khaki shirt & khaki shorts. Girl cadets from SW & JW both wear khaki full sleeve shirt and trousers. Cadets from SD boys Naval wing wear white half sleeve shirt and white trousers & JD boys wear half sleeve white shirt and white shorts. Girls from Naval wing SW & JW wear white half sleeve shirt and trousers. Cadets from SD boys Air wing wear light blue half sleeve shirts and trousers & JD cadets wear light blue half sleeve shirts and trousers. Girls from SW and JW wear light blue half sleeve shirts and trouser.

In addition to these SW & JW cadets wear white salwar and kamiz during activities other than parade. Rifle green beret is compulsory for all the cadets except Sikh cadets who wear rifle green turban. For physical training cadets wear brown canvas shoes and for drills black leather shoes called D.M.S (Drill March Shoes). Woolen vests are compulsory in cold areas whose colour varies khaki for army, dark blue for navy, and black for air. (Even NCC cadets wear INDIAN ARMY uniforms sometimes.)

Training
Total training period for SD and SW is 2 years with an extension of 1 year permissible & training period for JD & JW is of 2 years. Every cadet of the Senior or Junior Division has to undergo service training for a period of at least 4 hours per week during the training year. However, no training is carried out during periods when the college or school through which a cadet is enrolled is closed for a vacation. Every cadet of the Senior and Junior Division has undergo service training for a minimum period of 75% of total hours during the annual college and school session. Every cadet during the training year to attend an annual training camp of 14 days duration in the case of Senior Division and of 10 days duration in the case of a Junior Division.

Republic Day Camp (RDC)

 * Before RDC all group headquarters have to face the IGC(Inter-Group Competition)
 * NCC Republic Day Camp is the culmination of all NCC Training activities. RDC is held at Garrison Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt from 01 to 29 Jan. 1850 Selected NCC Cadets from 17 directorates attend the Camp. The Camp is inaugurated by the Vice President of India and culminates with Prime Minister's Rally on 27 Jan.
 * During the camp visit of Raksha Mantri, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Minister of Delhi, three Service Chiefs and various State Ministers/VIPs are also organised.
 * During the RDC, various competitions are conducted amongst the 17 NCC Directorates to decide the Champion Directorate for award of Prime Minister's Banner. Competitions are keenly contested in various events such as National Integration Awareness presentation, Drill, Line & Flag Area, Cultural Programs i.e. (group song, group dance & ballet), Best Cadet of Senior Division (Boys) and Senior Wing (Girls) in each Service - Army, Navy & Air Discipline. Aero modelling and Ship modelling are also conducted during RDC.

Combined Annual Training Camps (CATC)
They are 10 to 12 day Camps in which a cadet can learn the basics like What is NCC?, What are its Aims?, Firing skills etc. & it is very important for new NCC Cadets.

National Integration Camp (NIC)
NIC is to propagate national integration among cadets and societyThis camps are considering for SSLC grace mark These camps are conducted on All India basis and help bridge the cultural gap among various States of India. In addition, there are six special NICs conducted at Leh, Nagrota (J&K), zakhama (NER), Srinagar, Lakshadweep and Port Blair.

All India Summer Training Camps
The NCC cadets are sent to the different parts of the country for training and development. These camps help in promoting patriotism and mingling with different parts of India.

Army Attachment Camp
These camps are conducted by the NCC in collaboration with Indian Army, as the willing cadets are attached to the specific regiments under going the training period of 10–15 days. In this camp, the cadets are trained by the instructors of the particular regiment, in the military tactics including day/night warfare & also get familiar with the weaponry.

Hiking And Trekking Camps
They are full of adventure, Cadets who want to experience something adventurous must attend them.

Thal Sainik Camp (TSC)
The TSC is a 12 days camp conducted in Delhi every year in the late autumn, in which the cadets are selected from all 16 directorates (30+3 cadets from each directorate), by the selection procedure conducting 3 pre-TSC camps each of 10–12 days in a week interval. The selected cadets then are sent to the TSC to represent their respective directorates in the following competitions:
 * Obstacle course - In which the obstacles includes 6-feet wall, zig-zag, double ditch, balancing, 3-feet bar, left bar, right bar, incline, etc. It is done after wearing full tactible gear with rifle.
 * Firing - It consists of two types - Shooting (Grouping, Snap-shooting & Application) & Advance Firing (Standing, Kneeling & Lying positions). It is done with a standard .22 caliber rifle at the range of 25 meters & 50 meters.
 * Map Reading - Which includes working with Prismatic Compass, service protector & a map. It is conducted in the day or at night for finding 'North', 'Grid Positions' & 'Own Position', with the help of landscapes at the unknown location in which cadets are dropped.
 * Home Nursing - It consists of medical activities, as how to aid & heal a soldier in war.

The directorates also get marks by the inspection of their respective accommodations, dressing and some extracurricular activities by the inspecting squad. Arranging the numbers, the winning directorate gets a cup with decorations from the Director General, NCC on the closing day of the TSC. Two concurrent TSCs are conducted at RD Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt every year. i.e. S D / JD boys and SW / JW girls. 640 Boy and 640 Girls cadets take part in this camps

Rock Climbing Camps (RCC)
Eight rock climbing camps are held each year to expose the cadets to the basics of elementary rock climbing and to inculcate spirit of adventure amongst cadets. Four of these camps are held at Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh and other four camps at Nayyardam near Trivandrum in Kerala.