The National Cadet Corps (NCC) marked the beginning of its 78th Raising Day celebrations with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on November 22, 2025. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Director General NCC Lt Gen Virendra Vats paid tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes on behalf of the organisation, joined by three Tri-Service NCC girl cadets who also laid a wreath in honour of the bravehearts. The ceremony, followed by a band performance by NCC cadets from Delhi schools, set the stage for nationwide events highlighting the NCC’s enduring contributions to nation building and youth development. From its modest inception in 1948 with 20,000 cadets, the NCC has grown into the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation with 20 lakh cadets and a presence in 713 districts. Across the country, cadets observed the day with community-focused initiatives such as blood donation drives, tree plantation, Swachhta campaigns and anti-drug awareness programmes. Commending the NCC’s expanding role, the Defence Secretary praised initiatives like Apda Mitra disaster-response training, the Mt. Everest expedition and the integration of drone and cyber training. As the organisation celebrates its 77th anniversary, it continues to evolve into a future-ready force nurturing disciplined, responsible and technologically skilled youth dedicated to building a Viksit Bharat.
