There are a total of 3 NCC certificates. They are as follows:
This is the lowest of all the NCC Certificates. Candidates who are either Junior Wing (JW) or Junior Division (JD) Cadets in the NCC can appear for the NCC A certification exam during the 8th or 9th standard
Candidates who are either Senior Wing (SW) or Senior Division (SD) Cadets in the NCC can appear for the NCC B certificate after successfully completing their 10th standard or while pursuing a degree. Cadets who don’t possess the NCC A certificate can also appear for the NCC B Certificate directly but those who possess the NCC A certificate will be awarded 10 bonus marks in the NCC B certification exam.
This is the highest level NCC certificate offered to NCC Cadets. NCC Cadets can directly appear for the NCC C certification exam during their third and final year of NCC training or during the 3rd year of their degree/college course.
Candidates who have the NCC B certificate can appear for the NCC C certification exam during their 1st year of college itself or after successfully completing their 10+2 or equivalent.
Candidates should have attended at least 2 annual NCC training camps or either one of the following training programs or camps:
NCC Cadets will have to score a minimum of 45% in each of the papers and an overall percent of 50 or above in the NCC C certification exam to pass the exam.
NCC C Certificate Grade Level
Qualifying Criteria
is Awarded to cadets who secure an aggregate percentage of 80 or more
Is awarded to cadets who secure an aggregate percentage of over 65 but below 80
is awarded to cadets who secure an aggregate percentage of over 65 but below 80
While the NCC cadets aren’t liable to active service in any of the Indian defence forces, they are preferred over normal candidates during the selection and recruitment processes for the Indian Defence Forces. NCC Cadets also receive basic military training in parades and small arms.
The NCC C Certificate holders in particular are privy to a lot of incentives and benefits which are as follows:
- Scholarships for NCC C Certificate Holders
NCC Cadets who successfully complete their 10th standard and 12th standard receive a one-time scholarship worth INR 6,000 and INR 12,000 respectively. 66 chosen NCC Cadets across the country (based on merit) also receive a scholarship worth INR 30,000 each. Both NCC boys and girls are eligible for this scholarship.
- NCC C Certificate Incentives and Allowances:
NCC Cadets who have cleared the NCC C Certification exam are eligible for the following allowances and incentives during their service:
S.No
Type of Allowance awarded to NCC C Certificate Holders
Allowance Amount
State Govt. to Central Govt Split (in percentage)
INR 125 per day
INR 10 per month
Offered completely at by the corresponding State Government
100% of this allowance is covered by the Central Government
100% of this allowance is covered by the State Govt. except for the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim and the other states in the North Eastern Region (NER). In such states it is completely covered by the Central Government
- Reservations in Education for NCC C Certificate Holders:
A separate category or a certain number of seats are allocated for NCC C Certificate holders in the competitive exams and University entrance exams such as the EAMCET (Engineering Agricultural and Medical Common Entrance Test) conducted by the State Governments. NCC C Certificate Holders who have attended the Republic Day Camp (RDC) enjoy special benefits that help them get into better courses, streams and higher-ranked colleges even if their performance in the competitive exams is significantly lower.
- Security Agencies:
Both private and Government security agencies prefer NCC cadets over normal candidates especially if they are NCC C certificate holders. NCC C Certificate holders also get significantly higher pay in such security agencies.
- NCC C Certificate holders with a 3rd division degree are eligible for recruitment for certain Gazetted Posts in the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force).
- NCC C Certificate Holders can become Girl Cadet Instructors, Civilian Gliding instructors or Whole Time Lady Officers in the NCC.
- NCC C Certificate Holders are preferred for posts in the State Services in several Indian states.
- NCC C Certificate Holders are awarded bonus marks during recruitment for vacancies in the telecommunication department of India.
- NCC C Certificate Holders are eligible for cash awards for excellence (as an individual or as a team) during the NCC games.
NCC C certificate holders are usually exempt from giving the common defence entrance exams and they can directly apply for the SSB evaluation process. Some of the other benefits that NCC C Certificate holders enjoy over the others are as follows:
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Yes, NCC Cadets can directly appear for the NCC C certificate exam if they meet the eligibility criteria. However, candidates who hold the NCC B certificate can appear for the NCC C certificate exam immediately after their 10+2 or during their 1st year of college.
NCC Cadets will have to secure at least 45% in each of the papers and an aggregate of 50% or more to clear the NCC C certification exam.
13 to 15 vacancies are reserved in the INA for Naval Wing NCC male cadets who clear the CDS. Similarly, 5 to 8 seats are reserved in the IMA for NCC C Certificate holders from the NCC Army Wing.
Yes, NCC cadets undergo basic small arms and military training which makes them more suitable for the Indian Defence forces. They also enjoy a lot of reservations and relaxation in the entrance exams and recruitment process.
NCC C Certificate holders are preferred for certain Gazetted posts in the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), Government Security Agencies and the State Services.