The Special Joint State Representatives and Additional Director Generals’ Conference 2026 concluded in Guwahati on 15 October 2026, reaffirming the collective commitment of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), the Ministry of Defence and participating State Governments to strengthening the NCC ecosystem, expanding opportunities for youth and harnessing their potential for nation-building. The Conference was held under the aegis of the NCC Directorate, North Eastern Region, and chaired by the Minister Of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth.
The Conference brought together senior representatives of State Governments, the Ministry of Defence and NCC leadership to deliberate on key policy, administrative, financial and infrastructural issues affecting NCC operations, with particular emphasis on the strategic importance of West Bengal, Sikkim and the North Eastern States.
Among the prominent State Government representatives present were Shri Bishwajit Daimari, Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Assam; Shri Pasang Dorjee Sona, Minister of Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh; Shri Kishor Barman, Minister of Higher Education, Government of Tripura; Shri B. Kalyan Chakravarthy, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Assam; Shri K. Bono Singh, IAS, Additional Secretary, Education, Government of Manipur; Shri Ankur Bharali, Director, Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Assam; Ms P. Marilyn R., Deputy Secretary, Sports and Youth Resources, Government of Mizoram; and Shri L. Libemo Jami, Additional Director, Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland.
The Conference was also attended by Lt Gen Virendra Vats, UYSM, SM, VSM, Director General NCC; Additional Director Generals of the NCC North Eastern Region and West Bengal & Sikkim Directorates; and senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, including Smt Dipti Mohil Chawla, Additional Secretary, MoD, and Shri Jitendar Kumar Mehan, Joint Secretary (Finance & AF), MoD.
NCC Expansion: A National Priority:
Addressing the Conference, Mr. Sanjay Seth appreciated the active participation of the State representatives and the constructive deliberations, describing the forum as an important platform for resolving State-specific challenges and developing a coordinated roadmap for strengthening the NCC across the region.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment to youth empowerment, Shri Sanjay Seth underscored the ambitious nationwide expansion of the NCC, aimed at inducting three lakh additional cadets under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, himself an exemplary NCC cadet. Emphasising the transformative role of the organisation, he recalled the Prime Minister’s words: “The NCC is a movement that empowers India’s Yuva Shakti, making our youth confident, disciplined, and dedicated to the nation.”
He urged State Governments to expedite the necessary concurrence and administrative support to ensure that NCC expansion reaches young people, particularly in areas where demand for enrolment is high. He stressed that the objective must extend beyond increasing enrolment to nurturing character, discipline, leadership, national integration and a spirit of service.
Strengthening Institutional Support and State-Centre Co-ordination:
Highlighting that the NCC is a shared national responsibility, the Minister Of State For Defence called for stronger Centre-State coordination to address civilian manpower requirements and streamline administrative arrangements. He emphasised the need to facilitate appropriate institutional recognition of ADG NCC Directorates as Heads of Department within the respective State administrative frameworks.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of adequate budgetary allocations and sustained financial support, particularly in the context of West Bengal’s expanding NCC requirements. Expressing confidence in the State Government’s cooperation, he noted that investment in the NCC is a direct investment in the capabilities of young citizens and the future of the nation.
Modern Training Infrastructure and Academic Integration:
Emphasising the need to equip cadets with the skills and capabilities required to meet emerging challenges, Shri Sanjay Seth called for the establishment of permanent, modern NCC Training Academies, particularly in the North Eastern Region and other geographically challenging areas. Such facilities, he noted, would provide a stronger foundation for adventure training, leadership development, physical fitness and skill enhancement.
He urged State Governments and NCC Directorates to work in close co-ordination to accelerate the development of training infrastructure and create more opportunities for cadets to acquire practical skills, confidence and resilience.
The Minister also highlighted the integration of NCC into the formal education system through elective and credit-bearing courses as a significant step towards mainstreaming disciplined youth development within academic institutions. He encouraged State Governments and educational institutions to advance these initiatives and strengthen the link between education, leadership and national service.
Advancing Nari Shakti Through NCC:
Lauding the NCC’s sustained efforts to enhance the participation of girl cadets, he highlighted initiatives such as the All Girls PRANGLA Trek as powerful demonstrations of the courage, confidence, endurance and leadership potential of young women.
He observed that the North Eastern Region, Sikkim and West Bengal possess immense potential to emerge as leading centres for empowering girl cadets through adventure activities, leadership programmes and community engagement. He emphasised that greater participation of young women in the NCC would contribute significantly to inclusive development and the realisation of the national vision of Nari Shakti.
A Co-ordinated Roadmap for Viksit Bharat:
Concluding his address, the Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri stressed that the continued growth and effectiveness of the NCC would depend on a whole-of-government approach, supported by sustained cooperation between the Centre and the States. He called for time-bound follow-up action on the issues deliberated during the Conference, with clear responsibilities and coordinated efforts by State Governments, the Directorate General NCC and the Ministry of Defence.
He underscored the need to ensure that every cadet emerges from the NCC with enhanced confidence, discipline, leadership abilities, practical skills and a deep sense of responsibility towards the nation. These qualities, he noted, are essential to building an empowered youth population capable of contributing meaningfully to the national vision of Viksit Bharat.
