The National Cadet Corps
23 Feb, 2002 · 701
Wg Cdr NK Pant argues for compulsory military training for students through the NCC
Unlike the western democracies,
India
has never felt the need to have compulsory military service due to the availability of young able-bodied persons despite the fact that, during the preceding half century, the nation was drawn four times into wars. Even during the Second World War, our British rulers did not feel the need for conscription, which they were forced to adopt in the
United Kingdom
to bolster the war effort. In today’s
India
, there are adequate numbers of young men volunteering to undergo the toughest training to don soldiers’ uniforms. Thereafter they join their respective regiments.
India
now boasts a 1.5 million strong military establishment, the fourth largest in the world in terms of manpower, comprising volunteers who have opted for the armed forces either to earn a living or have an interest in adventurous life in uniform.
India
. With the spread of educational institutions in the country, many more schools and colleges will be covered under the NCC.
India
is believed to be under the consideration of the government. These experienced soldiers, sailors and airmen could be paid a fixed remuneration to keep them gainfully occupied near their homes. Since they retire at relatively younger ages compared to their civilian counterparts, they will be contractual employees; hence the financial resources of the government will not come under strain.
Till now the participation of the student community in the second line of defence has been via the National Cadet Corps (NCC), but on a limited scale. Though the total strength of students enrolled in the NCC is about 12 lakhs (1.2 million), this covers only 3.8 percent of the eligible student population. The network of 754 NCC units caters for 4500 colleges and 6500 schools throughout
The National Cadet Corps Act was passed by the then Constituent Assembly in 1948 to shape the country’s youth into useful citizens and leaders, apart from providing the armed forces a dependable source for its officers’ corps. Under this Act, boys and girls studying in schools and colleges are provided the opportunity to undergo training in military subjects and field craft. The NCC also provides an excellent opportunity to the student community to take part in adventure activities and various types of community service. During recent years, a greater emphasis has been given to community service and social activities. The thrust of training activities in the NCC has been to cover an increasing number of cadets. The organization has been successful in providing an opportunity to a vast number of students, to get a flavour of life in the army, navy and air force.
Compulsory military training was introduced during 1963-67 but could not be sustained due to lack of infrastructure. For any training to be of value, there has to be an infrastructure and proper guidance. Till these are in place, making NCC training a mandatory subject in our educational institutions will not be purposeful or justifiable.
If one takes the eligible student population in colleges and considers providing them one year of training, the total number works out to approximately 66 lakh (6.6 million) students. This will require an outlay of Rs 1500 crores (US $ 326 million) annually. The proposal, if accepted, will also require a very large number of training staff, which the armed forces will not be able to spare. Keeping this problem in mind, a proposal for utilization of the services of a fairly large number of trained and locally available ex-servicemen in all parts of
The NCC can act as the nation’s second line of defence in emergencies. During the Pakistani aggression in 1965, NCC cadets were entrusted with certain air defence tasks, traffic control and hospital duties. The J&K NCC students also contributed their mite to making the Kargil operation successful. The fearless cadets carried ordnance stores and other essential supplies right up to the frontlines in the high mountains.
It is in community development schemes and assistance during natural calamities where the NCC is lately proving its worth. Whenever requests were made for the services of the NCC cadets, there has always been an overwhelming response. The nation must tap their enthusiasm to achieve success in several national schemes such as the literacy drive, family welfare and so on, besides meeting the manpower needs of our armed forces.
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