New Delhi, July 13 (IANS) Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan said on Monday that strengthening the NCC is a shared national responsibility and suggested that all States try to have three to five Sainik Schools each.

During a briefing on the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Sainik Schools by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, along with senior officers of the Ministry of Defence, Radhakrishnan also assured all possible support in engaging with the States on issues such as land and training infrastructure for the NCC.

The presentations covered the growth of the NCC into a nearly 20-lakh-strong youth organisation, its training and nation-building initiatives, as well as the functioning and expansion of Sainik Schools, including the roadmap for strengthening the network across the country, said an official statement.

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, 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, said the statement.

The Vice President was also briefed on the functioning and expansion of Sainik Schools, including the existing and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models.

Suggesting that the growing demand among students and parents be addressed, 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.

Established in 1948 with an initial strength of 20,000 cadets, NCC has grown into the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation with over 20 lakh cadets.

The organisation has witnessed an increase of 6 lakh cadets between 2014 and 2025 and is currently present in more than 750 districts across the country.

–IANS

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