Marching Forward: NCC Orientation by Colonel Punit Srivastava

Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, is steadfast in its commitment to nurturing young citizens who will serve the nation with honour and dedication. After a hiatus, the 67 Battalion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) made a triumphant return to our school on 8 May 2025, when Colonel Punit Srivastava formally inaugurated the enrolment drive. Drawing on a distinguished 25-year Army career, Colonel Srivastava captivated over sixty prospective cadets with personal anecdotes and a clear vision for their journey ahead.

Once the students completed the written and physical examinations, fifty selected candidates attended an interactive session joined by Colonel Srivastava, Principal Mrs Promini Chopra, and Vice-Principal (Academics) Mrs Deepa Wahi. Raised at the National Defence Academy and a graduate of the prestigious Military College, Dehradun, Colonel Srivastava served across India—from the high-altitude challenges of Ladakh and Kashmir to deployments in the eastern theatre and extensive postings in Bengaluru. “Once upon a time,” he recalled, “I sat where you are now—listening to an Army officer’s briefing and resolving to follow in his footsteps.”

The Colonel explained that the NCC was established in 1948 to bridge civilian youth with India’s defence forces, evolving over decades into the country’s largest uniformed youth organisation. Today, it spans 17 directorates—each led by a Major-General—with some 10–11 group headquarters and over 350 battalions nationwide, enrolling roughly 35,000 cadets each year.

This year’s intake at Seth M.R. Jaipuria School:

Applicants: 65 (33 boys, 32 girls)

Enrolled Cadets: 50 selected after written test, physical assessment and interview

Colonel Srivastava emphasised the voluntary nature of NCC and urged students to discuss any medical or academic concerns before committing. He detailed the weekly commitment—two parades per week, totalling six periods, typically held on Fridays and Saturdays—and noted that participation can earn valuable co-curricular credit.

Outlining the NCC’s holistic ethos of “unity and discipline,” he highlighted the advantages cadets enjoy:

Certificates A, B & C: Official recognition that brings admission rebates and reserved quotas in universities and professional courses.

Career Pathways: Enhanced prospects for direct entry into the Armed Forces and up to 90 per cent selection likelihood for government fire services.

Skill & Character Development: Exposure to drill, adventure camps, leadership exercises, community service and live-firing practice with .22-calibre rifles.

He also described the Combined Annual Training Camp (CATC), a 10–12-day national-level exercise available from the second year onward, and encouraged participation in inter-directorate quizzes, debates, cultural shows and sports tournaments—including hockey, football and basketball.

Colonel Srivastava reassured cadets that his permanent instructor staff will visit the school regularly, and he himself remains available—through the ANO—for mentoring or addressing any queries. Concluding his address, he invited questions from the students. When one student asked, “Sir, if we face an emergency during our camp—say someone gets injured—what will happen?” he replied:

“Safety is our top priority. At each camp, we have a dedicated medical team on site—qualified first-aid instructors trained by the NDRF and SDRF—who accompany us throughout the ten days. If someone is injured, the nearest instructor administers first aid immediately using our fully stocked medical kits. For anything beyond basic care, an ambulance stands by at the camp edge, with direct radio contact to the closest hospital.”