NCC to Introduce Hi-Tech Drone Training, Nagpur Eyed as National Hub

Nagpur: Along with drills and gruelling ruck marches, the National Cadet Corps (NCC), world's largest volunteer organisation of students, is set to include a hi-tech drone course in its training regimen. NCC is planning to train its cadets in handling all types of drones ranging from hexa-copters to fixed-wing planes apart from cybersecurity. Nagpur, thanks to its central location, is being considered for a drone training national hub, said Additional Director General (ADG) for Maharashtra, Maj Gen Vivek Tyagi, on Wednesday. "Nagpur and Pune are expected to emerge as central and state hubs. Considering the changing times, it is needed to introduce newer training capsules for the cadets," said Tyagi, adding that cadets will also be trained in cyber security. "As drones have made way into several sectors, including defence, NCC feels that its cadets should be trained to handle the devices. Drones of various types would be procured for the NCC groups. The drone training would not be limited to the air wing alone. There are plans to procure flying machines even for army and naval wing NCC units," Tyagi said. The ADG also informed that a training programme for trainers has already been completed, and a schedule for 170 cadets has been planned. Tyagi said a course on cyber security is also being designed.While Nagpur is being considered for housing the drone training national hub, NCC has also flagged a dire need for improving infrastructure in the city. Tyagi said that despite its presence for decades, the NCC does not have its own land in Nagpur. The officer said he has written a letter to the chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, highlighting the dearth of infrastructure.NCC comes under both state and Centre. Even as the latter has done its part, more needs to come from the state, Tyagi said. At present, the organisation depends on educational institutions for requirements like ground for holding camps or other training in Nagpur, he said.Tyagi said the NCC plans to have academies in Nagpur, Mumbai, as well as one in Konkan region. One academy has already come up at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (erstwhile Aurangabad). The officer also talked about expanding its presence in remote districts, including Gadchiroli.Tyagi said that during Operation Sindoor, as many as 75,000 cadets took part in civil defence activities. Maharashtra has 1.5 lakh NCC cadets at present, of which 40% are girls.NCC plans to groom cadets for SSB interviewsNCC is also planning to groom the cadets for appearing before the services selection board (SSB) interviews. This would help the candidates from remote areas to get an understanding of the selection process and also build confidence to face the interviews, said Major General Tyagi.