CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR NCC CADETS
The National cadet Corps (NCC) represents one of the positive forces in shaping, especially the values of the youth in our country. Those who join the NCC are subject to discipline NCC tries to inculcate better values in them. In fact the discipline which an NCC cadet undergoes may play a large role in shaping his values, deciding his career and also his attitude to life. Rabindranath Tagore said that every time a child is born, it shows that God has not lost faith in mankind. With a population of more than one billion, we also have a very large percentage of people below the age of 35, to the extent of at least 50%. NCC inculcates in the youth a sense of nationalism and secular outlook that contributes towards the building of the nation.
Worlds Largest Youth OrganisationThe National Cadet Corps (NCC) is the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation that imparts military training to over 1 million school and college students. The NCC is emerging as a major source of recruitment of officers for the armed forces. In fact, 25 per cent of cadets currently training to be officers at the Officers’ Training Academy, the IMA and the NDA are from the NCC. And the figure is even higher for women cadets.
Historical BackgroundNCC was conceived in 1917 when India Defence Act was promulgated with an object of making up the deficiencies in the Armed Forces by raising the University Corps. In 1920, with the passage of India Territorial Act, University Corps was replaced by University Training Corps. In 1942, this Corps was rechristened University Officers Training Corps. In 1946, a committee under Pandit H N Kunzru was set up at the behest of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to formulate the establishment of an organisation capable of training and motivating the youth of the country to become better citizens and leaders in all walks of life. Consequently, the National Cadet Corps came into being on July 16, 1948 with the promulgation of the NCC Act XXXI of 1948. NCC was placed under the Ministry of Defence.
Aims of NCCIn the year 2000, the Central Advisory Committee modified the aims of NCC to develop qualities of character, courage, comradeship, discipline, secular outlook, spirit of adventure, sportsmanship and the ideals of selfless service among the youth to make them useful citizens. To create a human resource of organised, trained and motivated youth, to provide leadership in all walks of life including the Armed Forces and always make them available for the service of the nation. To create a suitable environment to motivate the youth to take up a career in the Armed Forces.
School and College LevelNCC is a voluntary organisation for students of the schools and colleges. School students of the age of above 13 years can join as junior cadets and students from class XI and above, can join this organisation as senior cadets. This organisation from its humble beginning of 32500 senior cadets and 135000 junior cadets has grown to above eleven lakhs cadets with 4.33 lakh senior cadets and 7.3 lakh junior cadets. Presently, NCC coverage is provided to 4560 colleges and 7040 schools. Considering the suggestions from the Vice-Chancellors of the universities, NCC was again made a voluntary organisation in 1968.
Organisational Set-UpAt the Headquarters level, this organisation 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 16 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. There are two training establishments namely Officers Training School, 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.
Main Aim of NCC as For True Youth DevelopmentNCC is a youth organisation, open to students of academic institutions. The NCC has undergone many changes i.e. from a purely military oriented organisation it has changed to a true youth development organisation spread over in all States of the Country in the true spirit of its motto unity and discipline. Today, the NCC offers a wide spectrum of activities classified into five main areas. Institutional training is paramount amongst these and it includes conduct of Annual Training Camps. Flying, Sea Training and familiarisation training with various Services institutes like Indian Military Academy at Dehradun and Officers Training School at Chennai. Community Development is another area in which cadets have set an example by involving in various activities viz. adult literacy, anti-drug, anti-leprosy campaigns, planting of trees to conserve ecology etc.
Of late, the scope of adventure and sports activity has been enlarged bringing in its ambit events like para-sailing, scuba-diving, car and motorcycle rallies and expeditions designed to explore the national heritage of India, beside the conventional activities like mountaineering.
Budgeting of NCCThe Central Government covers the pay and allowances of the central government employees, NCC clothing, centralised camps, 50 per cent of the budget of all states camp and equipment for adventure activities like boats, gliders, horses etc. State governments finance the pay and allowances of the state employees, cadet’s refreshments and washing allowances, funds to train and pay the Associate NCC Officers and 50 per cent of the camp budget of state NCC camps. The government is also considering a proposal to enhance the numerical strength of the NCC in a phased manner, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said, while delivering the annual NCC Day lecture on its 59th foundation day. Also, 20 percent of the seats for women officers at the Officers Training Academy that prepares them for a short service commission in the Indian Army, would be reserved for senior girl cadets of the NCC. The training period for senior cadets would be reduced from three to two years but with enhanced content. In this way, we will be able to train additional cadets every year without any extra cost to the exchequer but with no loss in content.
Youth Exchange Programmes Youth Exchange Programmes between NCC of India and youth organisations of other countries are undertaken yearly. The Exchange Programme includes mutual visits up to 24 days in which cadets undertake billeting families, community work projects, educational activities etc. These projects develop mutual respect, adaptability, self-discipline, cross cultural learning and above all, love for one’s country. India has Youth Exchange Programme with Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Maldives, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom and Vietnam. These programmes give the youth of our nation an enhanced understanding of the international environment and help them to become effective leaders in the future.
Career Counselling and Personality Development Camps
NCC’s recent initiatives to start career counselling, and courses in personality development and communication skills would prove beneficial for all cadets, particularly those from the rural areas. One of the aims of NCC is to provide the right environment to motivate the youth to join the armed forces. However, the training provided by NCC and imbibing virtues such as discipline, dedication and commitment would definitely help cadets to excel in other walks of life too.
Value of NCC Certificates and Camps
There are three types of certificates NCC cadets can secure: ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’. You will be eligible for the ‘A’ certificate after you have spent 1-2 years in the Junior Division (school-level) and attended one training camp. For the ‘B’ certificate, you should have attended at least 75 per cent classes in the Senior Division (in college) and one training camp. The most coveted is the ‘C’ certificate. To be eligible for this exam, you should be a ‘B’ certificate-holder, in your third year at college and should have attended at least one outdoor camp and one national integration camp or Republic Day parade or any other outdoor activity organised by the Directorate of the NCC. The tests are held in March-April every year. A ‘C’ certificate-holder has many advantages when it comes to the selection process in the armed forces.
Various Advantages Given to NCC Cadets Army:Thirty-two vacancies in every regular course of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) are reserved for NCC ‘C’ certificate-holders who have passed the CDSE and have been declared successful by the Services Selection Board. They have a distinct advantage during training. A separate merit list is prepared for NCC cadets with ’C’ certificate.
The NCC Special Entry Scheme offers Short Service Commission of 5 years (non-technical) in the Indian Army to graduates (50% agg) with ‘C’ certificate. You will be deputed for training at the OTA, Chennai.
Eligibility: Unmarried male graduates (19-25 years) who have served for at least two years in the Senior Division of the Army Wing of the NCC with a ‘B’ grade in the ‘C’ certificate exam.
Selection: SSB tests, interview and medical test. Selected candidates undergo training for a period of nine months at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai.
Navy: The Indian Navy offers Permanent Commission in the Executive Branch to graduates with NCC ‘C’ certificate.
Eligibility: Unmarried male graduates (. BE/BSc (Phys & Maths) with Naval Wing Senior Division NCC ‘C’ certificate.
Selection: SSB interview/test and medical examination. Approxi-mately six selected candidates undergo the naval orientation course at the Naval Academy, Goa, followed by professional training at Naval Academy units/ships/establishments.
Air Force : The Indian Air Force Offers Permanent Commission in the Flying Branch to science graduates with NCC ‘C’ certificate.
Eligibility : Unmarried male graduates (BSc with physics and/or maths) and a ‘C’ certificate of the NCC air wing.
Selection : SSB interview. Make sure you apply within 24 months of leaving the NCC. Upon selection you will be sent for 22 weeks of pre-flight training followed by 52 weeks of flight training.On successful completion of which candidates are granted commission in the rank of Lieutenant.
Pay and allowances: Rs. 8250-300-10050(Under revision for hike) with DA with other benefits like concessional accommodation, free medical facilities or self and family, LTC, 60 days annual leave, 20 days casual leave, canteen facilities, entitled ration as per scale, 50% concession on travel by air at own expenses etc.
How to apply: The applications in the prescribed format, in response to the notification which appears in the Employment News and in some other prominent national dailies, are to be posted to nearest OC NCC Unit or to NCC Unit from where NCC C certificate has been issued, All NCC Units forward the applications to DDG NCC of concerned State, At DDG NCC States-All application received to be verified for following before sending to Rtg Dte: (i) Date of Birth with original Class X Certificate (ii) Graduation Certificate (ni) NCC C Certificate.
For queries, you may contact Recruiting Directorate at phone nos: 011-6196220, 6173215; Other Incentives for NCC Cadets at a GlanceFor Commission in Defence Forces :(a) Vacancies reserved for commission in Defence Forces for NCC C Certificate Hoders:
(i) Army - 64 every year for IMA. Dehradun through UPSC and SSB interview. 100 in Officer Training Academy (OTA), Chennai for Short Service Commission Non-Technical No UPSC Exam, only SSB every year.
(ii) Navy - 6 percourse. No UPSC Exam, only SSB interview. Two years age relaxation for NCC C Certificate holders.
(iii) IAF - 10% in all course including flying training courses. No UPSC Exam, only SSB.
(b) For ORs, Sailors, Airmen: 5 to 10 percent bonus marks awarded for recruitment.
(c) Para Military Forces: 2 to 10 bonus marks awarded for recruitment
(d) Department of telecommunication: Bonus marks awarded for recruitment
(e) CRPF: NCC cadets holding 3rd division degree eligible for recruitment to gazetted posts.
(f) NCC: Civilian Gliding instructors/Girl Cadet Instructors/ Whole Time Lady Officers.
(g) State Govts: Preference for State Services in certain States.
(h) Industry: Some industries give preference to NCC C certificate holders for various jobs related with the field of security.
(i) NCC Games: Cash awards to teams and individuals for excellence.
(The author is Lecturer in Defence and Strategic Studies Dept. of Correspondence Courses, Punjabi University, Patiala)
Author: Asif Ahmed
Source:
Employment News For more details, visit:
www.employmentnews.gov.in/career_details-career-opportunities-for-ncc-cadets-214-in.html
NCC Website: www.nccindia.nic.in
