Introduction

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) has its genesis in the ‘University Corps’, which was created under the 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)’ In 1942, the UTC was renamed as the ‘University Officers Training Corps’ (UOTC). The need to create a youth organisation at National level to train the young boys and girls to be better citizens and future leaders of our great country in all walks of life, including Defence forces, was rightly realized by our leaders. A Committee under Pandit HN Kunzru was set up in 1946 at the behest of our first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The NCC came into existence on 16^th July, 1948 under the NCC Act XXXVI of 1948 under the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

NCC Motto

The Motto of the NCC is ‘Unity and Discipline’ which was adopted on 23 Dec 1957. In living upto its motto, the NCC strives to be and is one of the greatest cohesive forces of our nation, bringing together the youth hailing from different parts of our country and moulding them into united, secular and disciplined citizens of our nation.

Selection of NCC Flag

In 1954 the existing tricolour flag was introduced. The three colours in the flag depict the three Services of the Corps, red for the Army, deep blue for the 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 colourful look and a distinct identity. Each lotus represents one NCC Directorate (Dte).

Aims

The aims of NCC as approved by MOD in Mar 2001 are as under:-

1. To develop character, comradeship, discipline, leadership, secular outlook, spirit of adventure, sportsmanship and ideals of selfless service among the youth of the country.

2. To create a human resource of organized, trained and motivated youth, to provide leadership in all walks of life and always be available for the service of the nation.

3. To provide a suitable environment to motivate the youth to take up a career in the Armed Forces.