The Ministry of Defence has approved creation of two new independent NCC State Directorates, including one in Andhra Pradesh and the other in Jharkhand, increasing the total number of State Directorates from 17 to 19.The establishment of the independent State Directorates will bring the NCC closer to the cadets and educational institutions it serves. The new administrative structure will enable more focused coordination, improved supervision and enhanced support for training and developmental activities. It will also provide greater opportunities for the youth of these states through improved training infrastructure and support mechanisms.NCC, which was established in 1948 with an initial strength of 20,000 cadets, has grown into the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation with over 20 lakh cadets. The organisation has witnessed an increase of 6 lakh cadets between 2014 and 2025 and is currently present in more than 750 districts across the country, a release by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said. Published - June 16, 2026 08:42 pm IST