New Delhi: A solemn ceremony on the eve of the 78th Raising Day of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) saw the country’s senior defence leadership and cadets come together at the National War Memorial to pay tribute to India’s fallen soldiers and reaffirm the youth-organisation’s role in nation-building.
NCC 78th Raising Day Tribute
On 22 November 2025, ahead of NCC’s official 78th Raising Day on 23 November, the Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, along with the Director General of NCC, Virendra Vats (Lt Gen), laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. They paid homage to the nation’s brave‐hearts on behalf of the entire organisation.
In a specially significant gesture, three girl cadets from the tri-services (Army, Navy, Air Force) of the NCC also took part in the wreath-laying, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to inclusive youth service.
Following the tribute, cadets drawn from various Delhi schools delivered a band performance, adding a dignified ceremonial touch to the occasion.
NCC’s Growth and Nation-Wide Reach
From its inception in 1948 with just 20,000 cadets, the NCC has grown into the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation — boasting 20 lakh (2 million) cadets by 2025.
Between 2014 and 2025 alone, approximately 6 lakh new cadets were enrolled, reflecting strong youth engagement.
The organisation’s presence spans 713 of India’s 780 districts, making it one of the most widely represented youth institutions in the country.
Beyond Parades: Service, Skill & Social Outreach
The NCC 78th Raising Day commemoration also emphasised the NCC’s focus beyond drill and ceremony.
Across states and Union Territories, cadets will be engaging in a range of public-service initiatives such as:
- Blood donation drives
- Tree-plantation programmes
- ‘Swachhata Hi Sewa’ (Cleanliness Mission) campaigns
- Anti-drug awareness activities under the Nasha Mukti Abhiyaan framework
Addressing the gathering at the Memorial, the Defence Secretary commended the NCC’s contributions across multiple spheres. He highlighted some of the organisation’s flagship initiatives, including:
The “Apda Mitra” disaster-response training programme
The NCC Mt.-Everest expedition: The inclusion of Drone and Cyber training modules in the NCC curriculum to make cadets future-ready
Preparing Youth for a Viksit Bharat: In his remarks, the Defence Secretary stressed that as NCC marks its 78th Raising Day, the organisation continues to evolve as a vibrant platform nurturing disciplined, socially aware and technologically skilled youth. He underscored its key role in supporting India’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).
The commemoration at the National War Memorial symbolically reaffirmed this direction—bridging respect for India’s defence heritage with forward-looking youth empowerment.
Significance and Looking Ahead
The presence of senior Defence Ministry leadership and tri-service cadets alike showcased the NCC’s integral link between the armed forces and civilian youth. The wide geographic spread of the organisation, its expanding enrolment, and its increasing inclusion of new skill-domains reflect its adaptive evolution for contemporary challenges.
As the main celebrations unfold on 23 November 2025 across the country, the focus will remain not only on ceremony but also on the NCC’s larger contributions to community service, national resilience and youth capability building.
What is NCC (National Cadet Corps)
The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is the youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces, established in 1948. It is a voluntary organization that trains school and college students to become disciplined, responsible, and patriotic citizens.
NCC cadets receive basic military and leadership training while remaining civilians.
Motto: “Unity and Discipline”
Read also: Historic Feat: NCC’s Youngest Team, Avg. Age 19, Scales Mt Everest, Unfurls Tricolour at 8,848m
