Exercise NCC Yogdan

Why in news?

National Cadet Corps (NCC) has offered a helping hand to civilian authorities in the country’s fight against COVID-19 by extending the services of cadets under ‘Exercise NCC Yogdan’.

About Exercise NCC Yogdan

• National Cadet Corps (NCC) has issued guidelines for temporary employment of its cadets to augment relief efforts and functioning of various agencies involved in battling the pandemic.
• The tasks envisaged for NCC cadets include, manning of call centres, distribution of relief materials, medicines, food and essential commodities, community assistance, queue & traffic management. 
• According to the guidelines, cadets should not be employed in handling of law and order situation or for active military duties or at hot spots.  
• Only Senior Division volunteer cadets above 18 years of age will be employed. They should be employed in small cohesive groups of eight to 20 under the supervision of Permanent Instructor Staff or Associate NCC Officer.
• For employment of volunteer cadets, State governments or district administration has to send the requisition through State NCC Directorates.
• The NCC which operates under Ministry of Defence is the largest uniformed youth organisation of the country and has been engaged in conducting various social service and community development activities. The NCC cadets have been contributing to the national cause during natural calamities like floods, cyclone, etc since its inception.

Prelims Question

Q. Which of the following statements regarding ‘Exercise NCC Yogdan’ is incorrect?

a) It aims to provide a helping hand to civilian authorities in the fight against COVID-19 by extending the services of cadets.

b) It envisages effective deployment of NCC Cadets in hotspots, maintaining law and order at critical times among other relief and community assistance work.

c) It seeks to employ only Senior Division volunteer cadets above 18 years of age.

d) It seeks to employ small cohesive groups of eight to 20 under the supervision of Permanent staffs only.

Answer to the Prelims Question