Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar launched the Directorate General National Cadet Corps (NCC) Mobile Training App Version 2.0 in New Delhi earlier this week. The app will help conduct countrywide online training for NCC cadets amid the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. It offers cadets easy access to training material by providing NCC-related basic information and entire training material (syllabus, précis, training videos, frequently asked questions) on one platform.
According to a press release, the DG NCC Mobile App Version 1.0 for training was launched in August 2020 to assist online cadet training. The DG NCC stated that regular feedback was obtained on the functioning of the app, based on which it was upgraded to make it more useful to the cadets.
Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Secretary said the NCC Training App Version 2.0 will be a useful digital learning tool, helping the cadets overcome the difficulties posed by pandemic regulations on physical contact. Using this app, the cadets will be able to attend online training, appear in certification exams, and prevent the loss of an academic year. Dr Kumar claimed it will be a positive step towards the automation of NCC training, in line with the government’s flagship Digital India programme. The Digital India vision is to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
Dr Kumar added that digital technology is a lifeline in these COVID-19 times, stating that now it is a way of life and way of training for NCC cadets. He listed out various steps taken by the Ministry of Defence to impart training to cadets through digital means, including the increase in different types of simulators in all NCC Directorates. Soon, NCC cadets will be trained in satellite imagery and GIS-based mapping. Also, direct benefit transfers (DBT) for uniforms will be made available wherein uniform allowances will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the cadets.
The DG NCC Mobile Training App Version 2.0 will be bilingual (Hindi and English). New pages have also been included for ease of navigation on the app. Précis and frequently asked questions in Hindi have also been added. The DG NCC said 130 training videos have been added to make the classes more interesting. The app has been made interactive by including a query option. By using this option, a cadet can post their question related to the training syllabus, which will be answered by a panel of qualified instructors.
During the event, NCC cadets shared their experiences using Version 1.0 of the app and gave suggestions to further improve its services. Officers and cadets of all 17 NCC Directorates attended the event virtually from across the country. Senior civil and military officials of the Ministry of Defence were also present on the occasion.
Earlier this month, it was announced that NCC will be considered a General Elective Credit Course (GECC) among the graduation courses being run in educational institutes or colleges in the state of Haryana. The move is in line with the National Education Policy 2020, where students can select their choice of subjects rather than being confined to only those being offered by the institutions. This makes learning holistic and skill-oriented. After completing the course, students are awarded points, enabling them to qualify for their respective degrees.
