National Cadet Corps (India)

          The National Cadet Corps is an Indian military cadet corps with its Headquarters at New Delhi, Delhi, India. 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 foractive military service once they complete their course.

History

• The NCC is the world's largest uniformed youth organization. Its motto is 'Unity and Discipline'.
• The NCC in India was formed the National Cadet Corps Act of 1948. It was raised on 15 be traced back to the ‘Corps’, which was created under the Indian Defence Act 1917, with the objective 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 Indianization 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 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 1948, 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 & Bangladesh-Pakistani war of 1971, NCC cadets were second line of defence. 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 defence 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 defence, 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 Motto and Aim

• The discussion for motto of NCC was started in 11th central advisory meeting(CAD) held on 11 August 1978. At that time there were many mottos in mind like "Duty and Discipline"; "Duty, Unity and Discipline"; "Duty and Unity"; "Unity and Discipline". later, at the 12thCAD meeting on 12 Oct 1980 they selected and declared "Unity and Discipline" as motto for the NCC .In living up to its motto, the NCC strives to be and is one of the greatest cohesive forces of the nation, bringing together the youth hailing from different parts of the country and molding them into united, secular and disciplined citizens of the nation.
• The Aims of the NCC was laid out in 1988, NCC aims at developing discipline, character, brotherhood, the spirit of adventure and ideals of selfless service amongst young citizens. Not only these, it also aims to enlighten leadership qualities among the youth who will serve the Nation regardless of which career they choose. It also motivates the young to choose a career in armed forces.

NCC Flag

• In 1954 the existing tricolor flag was introduced. The three colors in the flag depict the three services in the Corps, red for Army, deep blue for Navy and light blue for the Air Force. The letters NCC and the NCC crest in gold in the middle of the flag encircled by a wreath of lotus, give the flag a colorful look and a distinct identity. Each lotus represents one NCC Directorate (Dte). The two dots represent the Officer Training Academies at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh and Kamptee, Maharashtra.

NCC Pledge

• We the cadets of the national cadet corps ,do solemnly pledge that we shall always uphold the unity of India ,We resolve to be disciplined and responsible citizens of our nation .We shall undertake positive community service in the spirit of selflessness and concern for our fellow beings.

NCC Song

• The desirability of composing an NCC song was considered in 1963 and registered in 1969 with the approval of Ministry Of Defence . In 1974 it was felt that the NCC song has failed to catch the imagination of the youth and there was need for a change. In Oct 1982, it changed to . current NCC Song titled

" Ham Sabh Bhartiya Hain". "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 Hain

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, Range 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

• The NCC is headed by a Director General with the rank of lieutenant general
• He is assisted by two Additional Director Generals (A and B) of two-star rank (major-general, rear-admiral or air vice-marshal). Five Brigadier level officers and other civil officials also assist him. The Headquarters is located in Delhi. The organizational structure continues as follows:
• Directorate - There are 17 Directorate located in the state capitals headed by an officer of the rank of a Maj Gen from the three Services.
• Group - 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 organization in the state. Each group is headed by an officer of the rank of Brigadier or equivalent known as Group Commander.
• Battalion- Each NCC Group Headquarters control 5-7 units(Bns) commanded by Colonel/Lt.Col or equivalent.
• Company - 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 96 Group Headquarters in the country who exercise control over a network of 684 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 (Nagpur, Maharashtra) and Women Officers Training School, Gwalior.

Committee