The Ministry of Defence announced the establishment of two new independent State Directorates for the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand, approved by Headquarters Directorate General NCC. This expansion increases the total number of NCC State Directorates in India from 17 to 19, representing significant organizational growth for the world's largest uniformed youth organization.
The new administrative structure is designed to bring NCC closer to cadets and educational institutions, enabling more focused coordination, improved supervision, and enhanced support for training and developmental activities. The expansion will provide greater opportunities for youth in these states through improved training infrastructure and support mechanisms.
The NCC has experienced substantial growth, expanding from an initial strength of 20,000 cadets in 1948 to over 20 lakh cadets currently. The organization added 6 lakh cadets between 2014 and 2025 and is now present in more than 750 districts across the country. This expansion is framed as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of empowering India's youth to develop into confident, capable, and socially committed citizens who can contribute meaningfully to the nation's progress and the building of a Viksit Bharat.