The Ministry of Defence briefed Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Sainik Schools at Uprashtrapati Bhavan. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, along with senior ministry officials, presented updates on the NCC’s growth into a nearly 20-lakh-strong youth organisation, its training and nation-building initiatives, along with the expansion roadmap for Sainik Schools.
Appreciating the NCC’s contribution to nation-building, the Vice-President described the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Camps as an excellent initiative for strengthening national integration. He also lauded the NCC’s community service initiatives, including the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and welcomed the establishment of the NCC Alumni Association. Emphasising that strengthening the NCC is a shared national responsibility, C. P. Radhakrishnan called for greater infrastructure development, enhanced coordination with State Governments on issues such as land and training infrastructure, and assured all possible support in engaging with the States.
The Vice-President was also briefed on the expansion of Sainik Schools, including the existing and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models. Highlighting the growing demand among students and parents, C. P. Radhakrishnan observed that each State could aim to have three to five Sainik Schools. He also proposed exploring the possibility of increasing the intake capacity of existing Sainik Schools.
