By Sarath Babu George
Copyright thehindu
The National Cadet Corps (NCC) programme has been officially recognised as an academic component within the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUGP) in universities across Kerala, with the State Higher Education Council issuing detailed guidelines for its implementation.
Under the new framework, NCC cadets can earn three academic credits, which will count as one value-added course (VAC) mandated under the FYUGP.
The decision adheres to directions from the University Grants Commission, All India Council for Technical Education and the Ministry of Defence to integrate NCC into undergraduate curricula. The council’s executive body, which met recently, approved the guidelines framed on the basis of recommendations by a committee that was constituted to examine the inclusion of the NCC, National Service Scheme, sports and arts within the academic credit structure.
According to the framework, the VAC titled ‘National Service, Leadership and Civic Engagement through NCC’ will be open exclusively to students enrolled as cadets. To qualify for the programme, students must complete two to three years of active participation in the NCC, fulfilling all requirements, including drills, theoretical sessions, camps and community service. Credits will be awarded at the end of the sixth semester after verification of participation and performance.
The guidelines outline a structured evaluation system covering theory, practical training, camp participation, community and environmental engagement and discipline. Universities have been directed to include the NCC-based VAC in their course basket, while the NCC Directorate will be responsible for designing a standardised syllabus for the course. It will incorporate both traditional NCC activities, such as parade drills, leadership training and camps, and structured academic modules on disaster management, personality development, civil engagement and related topics.
The Directorate will also train Association NCC Officers (ANOs) to deliver the course content, assess students’ performance and maintain academic rigour in line with the university standards.
