127 NCC Cadets from Odisha Selected for Republic Day Camp 2025–26 in New Delhi

Bhubaneswar: As many as 127 NCC cadets from Odisha have been selected to participate in the prestigious Republic Day Camp (RDC) to be held in New Delhi from December 27, 2025 to January 29, 2026. The cadets will also represent the state at the Republic Day Parade and the NCC Prime Minister’s Rally in the national capital.

The contingent has been selected from among nearly 64,000 NCC cadets in Odisha. Of the 127 cadets, 80 are boys and 47 are girls. Among them, 112 cadets belong to the college NCC wing, comprising 71 boys and 41 girls, while 15 cadets are from the school NCC wing, including 9 boys and 6 girls.

The selected cadets, along with 10 supporting staff members, departed for New Delhi on Thursday. Prior to their departure, the cadets underwent one month of intensive training at Nabarangpur, aimed at preparing them for the rigorous drills, cultural events and ceremonial responsibilities associated with the national-level camp.

Before leaving for the national capital, the cadets interacted with Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, who encouraged them and extended his best wishes.

Addressing the cadets, the Minister said that the discipline, dedication and commitment of NCC cadets towards national unity and integrity serve as an inspiration to society. He expressed confidence that participation in the Republic Day Camp would be a memorable and enriching experience for the cadets and said it was a matter of pride for Odisha that its youth would represent the state on such a prestigious national platform.

The Minister also stated that the Higher Education Department is making concerted efforts to increase the strength of NCC cadets in Odisha, enhance women’s participation in NCC, and establish exclusive NCC battalions for women in the state.

On the occasion, Deputy Director General, Odisha NCC Directorate, Commodore Vikram Singh, presented an overview of NCC activities in Odisha and thanked the Higher Education Minister for initiatives aimed at strengthening the organisation and motivating cadets.

Director, Higher Education Department, Kali Prasanna Mahapatra, Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University Professor Yajneshwar Dandapat, and Group Captain Debashish Mangaraj were also present at the programme.