We all know that NCC is a youth building organisation. NCC’s extensive and challenging training helps the cadets to develop self-discipline, good leadership qualities and socially helpful. So the NCC’s broad categories of training are divided into two main classes i.e. Training A and Training B.
We will briefly talk about the training A here. Activities of training “A” are further divided into the following categories:-
- Institutional training
- Camp training
- Attachment Training (Service Units)
- Air wing training
- Social service and community development
- Youth Exchange Programme
INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING
As the name suggests, these types of training which are given inside the institutes i.e. schools and colleges. These trainings are headed by the ANO and PI staff assigned to the particular institute which falls under a specific NCC unit. They are taught common and special syllabus in specific ratios based on the type of wing they are enrolled in. for instance the ratio of common syllabus to special syllabus being taught to army wing cadets is 70:30. Whereas the ratio of the same is 30:70 for air wing and naval wing cadets.
The time period of training for SD and SW is about 3 years whereas it is 2 years for JD and JW. The training is designed in such a way that it gives cadets a gist of life in the armed forces which might motivate them to further join the armed forces. Also, even if they don’t join the armed forces it will give them qualities that are beneficial in all walks of life. They are shaped into self-disciplined, punctual, dedicated, hard working individuals. These qualities are not only helpful for themselves but for the society too.
Institutional training is more focused on practicality. They are physically trained and are made perfect in drills. Although they are more focused on practical knowledge, the theoretical part is also present. The timetable of a parade invests more time on practical but some time is also given to theory portions. The parade ends with cadets singing the NCC song altogether.
CAMP TRAINING
Camps are an important part of NCC training. It’s not only a training for cadets, but it’s also something which is close to their hearts. It’s where cadets from different institutes and places come together to further achieve a milestone in their NCC training. Apart from the syllabus, you don’t have to teach a cadet anything else. They learn all of it by themselves and by their co-cadets.
They learn to be self-disciplined from waking up early in the morning, tidying their uniforms to sleeping early at night breaking their daily routine. They learn to provide selfless service, becomes helpful, punctual and hardworking just by the camp experiences.it is the place where they learn to apply the knowledge they gained in their respective institutes. A cadet has to attend at least one camp in the single year of NCC training. There are many types of camps in NCC which are enlisted in 2 broad categories below:-
- Annual Training Camps(ATC) or Combined Annual Training Camps(CATC):-
These are the basic camps which every cadet has to and can attend once a year. Cadets who has to give b certificate examination has to attend at least one CATC camp and for the cadets applying for c certificate has to attend at least two CATC camps and only after which they are eligible for giving the examination. - Centrally Organised Camps(COC):-
As the name suggests, they are organised by the centre which is HQ DG NCC. These are all India camps where cadets from all over India are selected based on certain criteria depending upon the camps in which they participate. There are only limited vacancies and hence not all cadets get the chance to be a part of these camps. Following are the camps that fall under COC:-
a. Leadership Camps(LC):-
These are the camps where the cadets are further groomed on their leadership traits. They are also sub-divided into basic leadership camp and advanced leadership camp . A total of four ALC are organised for SD, JD, SD Naval Wing and SW and three BLC for SD, SW and JW.
b. Thal Sainik Camp(TSC):-
Thal in Hindi means land or ground, so these camps are purely dedicated to the cadets who serves the land i.e. the army wing cadets. There are a series of TSC camps in which cadets are selected based on their performances on particular training activities. These activities are basically obstacle training and also weapon training. Best cadets reach the All India TSC which is held at Delhi after a series selection. AITSC is where cadets from all 17 directorates compete with each other. The winning directorate get the chance to hold the Republic Day banner.
c. Vayu Sainik Camp(VSC):-
Vayu meaning air in Hindi , so these are the camps for the air wing cadets. The activities are similar to that of the TSC only with slight variations in some activities. The cadets are selected in same manner as TSC and selected cadets reach the AIVSC to compete further with cadets of other directorates.
d. Nau Sainik Camp(NSC):-
As the name suggests, NSC are solely for the Naval Wing cadets. The procedure is same as the TSC and VSC camps only with variation in certain activities.
e. Rock Climbing Camps(RCC):-
It is one of the most adventurous camps designed by NCC where cadets are taught the basic skills for rock climbing. There are a total 8 RCC held each year.
f. National Integration Camps(NIC)/ Special National Integration Camps(SNIC):-
These are the camps which helps in building national integration among the cadets. These camps help cadets from different region to understand different culture, tradition and diverse languages of our country. It simply reduces the cultural gaps. Also these camps are held in remote areas to give a push to national integration. A total of 6 SNIC’s are held every year in extreme areas of our country like Leh, Port Blair, north eastern regions etc.
g. Republic Day Camp(RDC) and Prime Minister’s Rally:-
RDC is believed to be the most prestigious camps of all. RDC is held at Garrison parade ground, Delhi cannt every year from 01 Jan to 29 Jan. it is a matter of pride when a cadet is selected for RDC camp as he/she represents their state in Republic Day Camp in front of honourable guests like Vice president of India by whom the ceremony is inaugurated, the Defence Minister, the Chief Minister of Delhi, the three heads of the three armed forces. - Attachment Training
Here the cadets get a very close experience of the life of armed forces. Vacancies are limited so only few selected cadets get the opportunity to go through this camp.allocation of vacancies for attachment is done in various army HQs. The approx. duration of this camp is 15 daysAir Wing Training.
NCC Air Wing was established in 1950 as it was felt that it is important for the cadets to not onlylearn about army from the armed forces but also about the air force too.the cadets are taught basic aviation knowledge like aerodynamics, navigation,airmanship and aero engine. The practical training the air wing cadets are introduced to are:-
a. Gliding:- gliding is an adventurous activity where the cadets fly unpowered aircraft known as gliders or sailplanes naturally occurring currents of rising air in the atmosphere to remain airborne.
b. Microlite Flying:- it gives cadets a quick and basic knowledge about the aviation of aircrafts. It was introduced as an adventurous activity to give the experience which amny can’t simply get it.
c. Aeromodelling:- it is a crucial part in the training of air wing cadets as it requires great amount of concentration to learn this skill. For this, learning and understanding theory is important as this is what is used in practical knowledge. It is divided into static and dynamic aeromodelling.in static aeromodelling, non-flying type aeromodels are developed that are very similar to the actual planes. In dynamic aeromodelling, the planes are made to fly. Both the types involves controlling through radio control.
There is also a non-controlling type aeromodel too. - Social Service and Community Development:-
These activities are developed to inspire and enourage the cadets towards theoir responsibility towards the society. Training hard, going to various camps and achieving milestones are great and it is something which not everyone can do but apart from that you have to be kind towards your fellow beings. A social responsblity should be taught to everyone and NCC is the best place to learn it effectively.
The activities are as given:-
a. Tree plantation:- cadets plant saplings on various places and look after them
b. Blood donation:- they volunteer themselves during blood donation
c. Old age homes:- they are highly respected by the cadets
d. Adult education:- cadets travel to remote and underdeveloped areas to teach under privileged children - Youth Exchange Programme(YEP):-
Selected NCC cadets participate in Youth Exchange Programme which is a country to country exchange of cadets belonging to NCC/ equivalent Govt/ youth organizations of friendly countries. They participate in NCC activities of the host country to create an increased awareness and appreciation of each other’s socio-economic and cultural realities. NCC has a vibrant YEP with ten countries. The benefits of this programme have been widely acknowledged. Our cadets share strong bond with our YEP partners. As of now more than 100 cadets proceed abroad on YEP annually.
“Jai Hind “
