> Automatically verified official update: This page reproduces an official government communication from Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment without adding legal conclusions. Always follow the linked primary source where exact wording matters.

The Central Government is facilitating the expansion of National Cadet Corps (NCC) opportunities in Government schools located in Scheduled Caste (SC)-concentrated areas and areas covered under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY). The initiative aims to promote leadership, discipline, character-building and national service among students from socially and educationally disadvantaged communities.

This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale in a written reply to Shri Chandrakant Damodar Handore in the Rajya Sabha.

The Minister informed that 263 Government schools have been identified/shortlisted under the initiative. Of these, 25 schools already have NCC units, 8 schools are on the waiting list, while 230 schools have not yet applied for the establishment of NCC units.

The reply further informed that the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has shared the list of 230 eligible Government schools with the concerned authorities across seven States and one Union Territory to facilitate the process of establishing NCC units.

The reply also informed that no Government school from Maharashtra figures in the identified/shortlisted list prepared under this initiative.

The Government continues to work in close coordination with the Ministry of Defence, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to facilitate greater participation of students from Scheduled Castes and disadvantaged regions in the National Cadet Corps. The initiative reflects the Government's commitment to ensuring equitable access to opportunities that foster leadership, discipline, patriotism and holistic youth development.

PR – 036 – TAR/KV/GA

Official source

[Read the original PIB release](https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2290712)

Source attribution: Press Information Bureau, Government of India.