NCC Republic Day Camp 2026 Commences with Grandeur at Delhi Cantt
NCC has expanded its footprint to over 90% of districts across the country: DG NCC
By PIB Delhi
The National Cadet Corps (NCC) Republic Day Camp (RDC) 2026 commenced on a vibrant and ceremonial note at the DG NCC Camp, Delhi Cantt. This year, the RD camp is witnessing a participation of 2,406 cadets, including 127 Cadets from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and 131 Cadets from the North East Region. Cadets and Officers from 25 Friendly Foreign Countries will also take part under the Youth Exchange Programme (YEP).
Lt Gen Virendra Vats, Director General, NCC, congratulated the NCC fraternity on successfully completing 77 years of service. Reiterating the importance of Republic Day Camp, he said that it is a platform to provide cadets with exposure to the rich culture and traditions of our nation through important events that take place in the National Capital during the run-up to Republic Day.
While addressing the media, he highlighted the increasing presence of NCC Units in more than 90% districts across the country. The strength of NCC Cadets has increased significantly from 20000 at the time of its inception in 1948 to nearly 20 lakhs at present, which constitutes 40% girl Cadets. Lt. General Vats talked about the role NCC plays in inculcating character and discipline in youth through various camps. He said that in 2025, NCC organised 1,665 Annual Training Camps, 06 Special National Integration Camps, and 33 Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Camps to promote integration and strengthen bonds amongst cadets of varied regions and cultures. Besides routine adventure activities, NCC carried out the following:
- Special Mountaineering Expedition to Mt Everest.
- Approximately 75,000 Cadets participated during Op Sindoor, assisting the civil administration and providing medical support, including voluntary blood donation.
- Border area outreach under Vibrant Villages Programme.
- Planted 8 lakh trees under the ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ campaign.
- More than 4 lakh cadets participated in Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue Quiz.
- More than 8 lakh cadets took part in the International Day of Yoga.
- Over 50000 cadets participated in Swachhotsav.
- 6 lakh cadets took part in the 150-year celebration of “Vande Mataram”.
- Drone flying training for cadets in 4 Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs).
- 3000 cadets trained in the Skill Manthan workshops.
- 340 cadets worked on 85 start-up ideas and solutions during the Idea and Innovation Competition.
Talking about the ongoing expeditions, Lt General Vats told that a Special Sailing Expedition is in progress around 21 uninhabited Islands of Andaman & Nicobar, dedicated to the Param Veer Chakra awardees. Two Cycling Expeditions are being conducted to commemorate milestones, social reform activities, and the legacy of Veer Birsa Munda and Peshwa Bajirao. Also, approximately 94,400 NCC cadets from 315 districts have been nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to be trained in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority under the Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme by March 2026.
The camp will be visited by a large number of dignitaries, including the Vice President, the Raksha Mantri, the Raksha Rajya Mantri, the Chief Minister of Delhi, the Defence Secretary, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Chiefs of Army, Navy, and Air Force. The activities will culminate with the PM’s Rally on January 28, 2026.
