The National Cadet Corps (NCC) has officially released the zonal camp selection schedule for 2025, marking the beginning of a new cycle of leadership training, national integration, and military-style discipline for Indian youth. These camps play a critical role in awarding the prestigious ‘A’ and ‘B’ certificates, which are valuable for government job quotas, defence career entry, and overall personality development.
NCC zonal camps—like Annual Training Camps (ATC), Combined Annual Training Camps (CATC), Pre-RDC, and Republic Day Camps—are held across India for Army, Navy, and Air Force wings under Group HQs and Directorates.
If you’re an NCC cadet or planning to join, here’s everything you need to know about NCC India’s 2025 zonal camp selection, eligibility criteria, and certificate benefits.
What Are NCC Zonal Camps?
Zonal camps are regional-level training programs that bring together cadets from different colleges, schools, and battalions within a zone. These camps last from 7 to 12 days, depending on the type of training and certificate.
The main camps under NCC India are:
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Annual Training Camp (ATC)
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Pre-RDC (Republic Day Camp)
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Thal Sainik Camp (TSC)
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Nav Sainik Camp (NSC)
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Air Wing Camps
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Inter-Group Competition Camps
These camps are supervised by trained military staff and focus on drills, physical training, weapon handling, social service, and personality grooming.
NCC Certificate Types and Their Importance
| Certificate | Eligible Class | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| ‘A’ Certificate | Class 8–10 students (JD/JW) | Entry-level, adds value in school and NCC continuation |
| ‘B’ Certificate | College Year 1/2 students (SD/SW) | Advantage in recruitment for police, armed forces |
| ‘C’ Certificate | Final year students (after ‘B’) | Required for NCC Special Entry in Indian Army, Navy, Air Force |
The 2025 camp schedule is mainly focused on ‘A’ and ‘B’ certificate cadets who qualify through pre-selection rounds conducted by battalions.
Eligibility Criteria for NCC Zonal Camp 2025
To be selected for NCC zonal camps in 2025, cadets must fulfill these criteria:
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Must be an enrolled NCC cadet with regular attendance
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Should have passed the initial physical and theory test
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Should have minimum 75% attendance in weekly parades/drills
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Should have participated in prior institutional training
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Must submit valid ID, college/school certificate, and medical fitness form
In addition:
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For ‘A’ Certificate Camps: Cadets from Class 9–10 (Junior Division) are eligible
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For ‘B’ Certificate Camps: College students in the second year of NCC (Senior Division) are eligible
Every camp also involves a pre-selection test which includes:
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Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
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Written Test on NCC syllabus
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Drill Assessment
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Interview by Battalion Officers
Final merit is created on performance plus availability of camp seats under each Directorate.
2025 Zonal Camp Schedule Highlights
The tentative zonal camp schedule released by NCC HQ Delhi includes:
| Month | Camp | Region |
|---|---|---|
| May–June 2025 | ATC & CATC | All zones (pre-monsoon) |
| July–August 2025 | Nav Sainik & Air Wing Camps | Coastal & Air Force directorates |
| September 2025 | TSC Prelims | All directorates |
| October 2025 | Inter-Group Competitions | Zonal centers |
| December 2025 | Pre-RDC & IGC Winners’ Camp | Delhi, UP, Karnataka, Punjab zones |
Cadets selected for RDC are further trained for the January 26 Republic Day Parade, hosted in New Delhi.
Documents Required for Camp Selection
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NCC Identity Card (issued by battalion)
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Passport-size photographs (5)
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School/College Bonafide Certificate
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Medical Fitness Certificate (Govt. hospital)
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Parade attendance record
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Aadhaar Card photocopy
Cadets must report to battalion headquarters at the notified time with all documents, uniform, and kit.
Benefits of Attending NCC Camps
Attending NCC zonal camps provides:
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Certificate eligibility (used in UPSC, SSC, and defence services)
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Bonus marks in police, CAPF, and CRPF exams
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Enhanced physical and leadership training
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Priority in Indian Armed Forces NCC Special Entry (after C Certificate)
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National exposure and networking with other state cadets
For civil aspirants, NCC participation adds value to CVs in law, government, and corporate roles.
FAQs
Who can attend NCC zonal camps in 2025?
Students enrolled in NCC with regular attendance and basic fitness can attend. Class 9–10 students apply for ‘A’ camps, and college students for ‘B’ camps.
What is the duration of NCC zonal camps?
Camps usually last 7 to 12 days, depending on the camp type (ATC, CATC, TSC, etc.).
Is attendance mandatory for certificate eligibility?
Yes, a cadet must complete minimum required parades and attend zonal camps to be eligible for the certificate examination.
Do cadets receive any stipend during the camps?
NCC camps do not offer stipends but provide free food, lodging, uniform, and travel reimbursement from the battalion.
How does NCC help in defence job recruitment?
Candidates with a valid NCC ‘C’ Certificate are eligible for direct SSB interview in Army/Navy/Air Force under NCC Special Entry Scheme.
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