The National Cadet Corps (NCC) was established on 16th July 1948 under the National Cadet Corps Act, 1948. It is the youth wing of the Armed Forces and functions under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

The idea of a youth cadet corps was first proposed during British rule through the University Corps in 1917. After Independence, the Government of India restructured and expanded the programme into what is now known as the NCC, with the vision of grooming the youth into disciplined and patriotic citizens.

Today, the NCC is the largest uniformed youth organization in the world, comprising Army, Navy, and Air Force wings, and functions across schools and colleges throughout India.