Guwahati, October 15, 2026: NCC Expansion 2026 was a key focus at the Special Joint State Representatives and Additional Director General’s Conference held in Guwahati, Assam, on Thursday. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth called for practical measures to expand the National Cadet Corps (NCC), improve training facilities and strengthen coordination between the organisation and state governments.
Organised by the NCC, the conference brought together ministers and senior officials from seven North Eastern states, West Bengal and Sikkim. Discussions focused on expanding NCC coverage, improving cadet welfare, strengthening infrastructure and addressing administrative challenges affecting the organisation’s functioning across the region.
NCC Expansion 2026 Targets 20 Lakh Cadets
Addressing the conference, Sanjay Seth highlighted the Prime Minister’s vision of increasing the NCC’s strength from approximately 17 lakh cadets to 20 lakh. He called upon all nine participating states to prepare and implement practical, actionable plans to support this expansion.
The minister emphasised the need to strengthen infrastructure and improve training facilities so that more young people can benefit from NCC activities. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the organisation’s expansion and effective functioning.
The discussions placed emphasis on coordination between state governments and the NCC to identify requirements and develop plans suited to regional needs.
Sanjay Seth Highlights ‘Nation First’ and Youth Development
Sanjay Seth stressed the importance of motivating and guiding young people to adopt the spirit of ‘Nation First’. He said that effective training, adequate institutional support and better coordination among stakeholders are important for strengthening the NCC’s reach and functioning.
Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minister highlighted the role of the NCC in empowering India’s youth by promoting confidence, discipline and dedication to the nation.
The conference also discussed the NCC’s contribution beyond cadet training. Its activities support character-building, leadership development, national integration, social service and community development. These areas help encourage a sense of responsibility and service among young people.
NCC Expansion in North Eastern States, West Bengal and Sikkim
The conference reviewed the NCC’s existing presence across the North Eastern Region, West Bengal and Sikkim, with attention to coverage, training infrastructure and institutional requirements.
According to the information shared at the conference, the North Eastern Region NCC Directorate covers Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Its network includes nine Group Headquarters and 50 units, with NCC activities in 1,645 educational institutions and approximately 1.25 lakh cadets.
The West Bengal and Sikkim NCC Directorate operates through six Group Headquarters and 56 units. NCC activities extend to 1,326 educational institutions, with approximately 1.25 lakh cadets.
These figures underline the scale of the NCC’s presence in the region and the infrastructure required to support its cadets. Further expansion will require coordination among the NCC, state administrations and educational institutions.
Focus on Girl Cadets and Republic Day Camp Participation
Seth appreciated the participation of cadets from North Eastern states in the Republic Day Camp (RDC). He also highlighted the increasing enrolment of girl cadets, describing it as a reflection of the NCC’s contribution to women’s empowerment.
The conference discussed cadet welfare, training facilities and the need for institutional support to ensure that the organisation can function effectively as its reach grows.
Improved coordination and practical planning by participating states are intended to support the NCC’s wider coverage and help provide training opportunities to more young people.
Senior Officials and State Representatives Attend Conference
The conference was led by Director General NCC, Lieutenant General Virendra Vats. Additional Secretary Dipti Mohil Chawla, ministers and senior officials from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, West Bengal and Sikkim also participated.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the NCC attended the meeting, which served as a platform to discuss the organisation’s expansion, administration, cadet welfare and training requirements.
The conference concluded with an emphasis on practical state-level plans, stronger infrastructure and improved coordination to support the NCC’s development across the North Eastern Region, West Bengal and Sikkim.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
