Empowering Youth for Disaster Management: NCC, NSS, and More

When disasters strike, the first few hours are critical. While professional agencies like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) form the backbone of India’s disaster response, there’s another powerful force working alongside them-the youth. India’s youth organizations, including the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Bharat Scouts & Guides, and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), play a vital role in building community resilience and responding to emergencies. Together, they form a network of millions of trained young volunteers ready to serve when disaster calls.

An overview of India’s key youth organizations in disaster management 🔗

India has strategically positioned its youth organizations as crucial partners in disaster risk reduction. Under the Youth Aapda Mitra Scheme, approximately 2.5 lakh young volunteers are being trained from premier national institutions such as the NCC, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra, and Bharat Scouts & Guides. These organizations bring unique strengths to disaster preparedness and response efforts across the country.

National Cadet Corps (NCC) 🔗

The National Cadet Corps is the youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces, comprising Army, Navy, and Air Force wings. With approximately 20 lakh cadets across the country, the NCC has grown significantly from 14 lakh in 2014. As a Tri-Services Organization, NCC cadets receive basic military training that makes them well-suited for emergency situations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acknowledged that NCC cadets play a pivotal role in disaster management and sports activities.

During the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971, NCC cadets served as the second line of defence, organizing camps to assist ordnance factories and working with Civil Defence authorities in rescue operations and traffic control. Today, NCC cadets are trained to assist in civil defence mock drills conducted across districts nationwide, preparing them for real-world emergency scenarios.

National Service Scheme (NSS) 🔗

The National Service Scheme, launched in 1969, operates under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports with the motto “NOT ME, BUT YOU.” One of its core objectives is to develop capacity among volunteers to meet emergencies and natural disasters. With nearly one crore volunteers across India, NSS represents one of the largest pools of trained youth ready to respond during calamities.

NSS volunteers have demonstrated their commitment during major disasters. They provided commendable service during the Bhuj earthquake and the 2004 Tsunami in coastal regions of South India. In Khillari district, Latur, Maharashtra, following a devastating earthquake, NSS volunteers built houses for victims-these settlements came to be known as “NSS villages” or “NSS gram.”

Bharat Scouts & Guides 🔗

The Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG) is India’s national Scouting and Guiding association, serving over 6.3 million members. President Droupadi Murmu recently highlighted at the organization’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations that BSG has become a pillar of community support during crises. Whether dealing with natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, or public health emergencies like epidemics, Scouts and Guides have consistently been among the first to extend help.

The organization’s motto-“Be Prepared”-represents a mindset of readiness to face challenges with courage, clarity, and confidence. Remarkably, over 2.4 million girls are active members, reflecting BSG’s commitment to gender inclusion in disaster preparedness.

Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) 🔗

Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, launched in 1972, is one of the largest grassroots youth organizations in the world. With approximately 8.5 million youth enrolled through 3.01 lakh Youth Clubs and presence in 623 districts, NYKS focuses on disaster relief and rehabilitation as one of its key activity areas. The organization channels the power of youth based on principles of voluntarism, self-help, and community participation.

Activities for disaster management 🔗

These youth organizations engage in a wide range of activities that prepare young people for disaster scenarios while building community resilience.

First-aid training and basic life support 🔗

First-aid training forms a cornerstone of disaster preparedness education across all four organizations. NYKS volunteers, for instance, undergo comprehensive training developed by NDRF that includes basic search and rescue, patient assessment, basic life support (BLS) and CPR, snake bite management, and fire safety. These skills enable volunteers to act as first responders in their communities during emergencies.

NSS volunteers regularly organize blood donation camps in collaboration with hospitals, ensuring blood availability during emergencies. Similarly, NCC cadets receive training in ambulance procedures and emergency medical response as part of their curriculum.

Community development and awareness campaigns 🔗

Mass awareness campaigns are vital for building disaster-resilient communities. NSS undertakes regular activities including environmental conservation, health and family welfare programs, and sanitation drives under initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. These activities create awareness about disaster preparedness while strengthening community bonds.

NYKS volunteers address Gram Sabha meetings on disaster risk reduction, conduct peer education sessions, and generate awareness among village communities. Bharat Scouts & Guides members learn disaster management skills during their training camps, including understanding natural and man-made disasters, principles of emergency operations such as prevention, preparation, emergency evacuation, mitigation, response, and recovery.

Skill development programs 🔗

Youth organizations focus on developing specific skills essential for disaster response. These include communication skills for coordinating relief efforts, team coordination abilities for working in groups during emergencies, problem-solving capabilities for addressing challenges in disaster situations, and leadership qualities for guiding community responses.

The NSS curriculum emphasizes helping volunteers gain skills in mobilizing community participation and acquiring democratic values-both critical during disaster situations when collective action is necessary.

Building disaster resilience through active participation 🔗

Beyond training and awareness, youth organizations actively participate in building disaster resilience through hands-on involvement in preparedness and response activities.

Evacuation drills and mock exercises 🔗

NCC cadets participate in Civil Defence Mock Drills conducted across districts nationwide. These exercises prepare them for real emergency scenarios by simulating disaster conditions and testing response protocols. The drills help cadets understand evacuation procedures, emergency communication systems, and coordination with professional disaster management agencies.

NYKS volunteers are trained to undertake mock drills at local levels, ensuring communities are prepared for various disaster scenarios. This grassroots approach ensures that even remote villages have access to trained personnel who can guide evacuation efforts during emergencies.

Relief camp management 🔗

Youth volunteers play crucial roles in managing relief camps during disasters. NSS volunteers have historically been active in post-disaster situations, providing food, clothing, and first aid to victims. Their education enables them to help people correctly and behave in a highly disciplined and peaceful manner during chaotic situations.

NYKS has established a formal partnership with NDRF through a Memorandum of Understanding. Under this initiative, Block Level Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) of volunteers serve as first responders in hazard-prone districts. Trained volunteers are deployed in District Control Rooms and Emergency Operation Centres, providing support during normal times and scaling up operations during disasters.

Local emergency response coordination 🔗

The strength of youth organizations lies in their local presence. NYKS, with its network reaching the remotest areas across 623 districts and approximately 400-500 youth clubs per district office, can mobilize resources quickly during emergencies. Local teams can undertake operations efficiently because they understand community dynamics and have the authority to spend up to Rs. 20,000 in case of emergencies.

This local presence proved invaluable during disasters in Gujarat, Latur, and the Orissa cyclone, as well as during the 2004 Tsunami. Local youth volunteers could respond immediately while larger relief operations were being mobilized.

The path forward: strengthening youth involvement 🔗

India’s approach to disaster management increasingly recognizes the value of youth participation. The government’s goal of achieving zero casualties from disasters requires community participation, capacity building, and collective unity. Youth organizations serve as the bridge between professional disaster management agencies and local communities.

The training of approximately 2.5 lakh young volunteers under the Youth Aapda Mitra Scheme represents a significant investment in community-level disaster preparedness. These trained volunteers, called “NDRF-friends,” create an extensive network of first responders across the country. Among the over 1 lakh trained Aapda Mitras, 20% are women, known as “Aapda Sakhis,” ensuring gender-inclusive disaster response capabilities.

Technology is also being integrated into youth-led disaster management efforts. Digital platforms enable registration and tracking of trained volunteers, while online databases shared with NDMA, SDMA, and DDMA ensure effective communication and coordination during emergencies.

Making a difference at the grassroots level 🔗

The combined strength of NCC, NSS, Bharat Scouts & Guides, and NYKS creates a formidable force for disaster resilience. From providing first-line medical assistance to managing relief operations, from conducting awareness campaigns to participating in evacuation drills, young volunteers are making tangible differences in communities across India.

These organizations do more than just prepare for disasters-they build character, instil discipline, develop leadership qualities, and foster a sense of civic responsibility. When young people engage in community service and disaster preparedness, they become more responsible citizens who understand their role in building a safer nation.

As India continues to face natural hazards ranging from floods and earthquakes to cyclones and landslides, the role of youth organizations becomes increasingly vital. Their ability to reach grassroots communities, mobilize quickly, and provide sustained support makes them indispensable partners in the country’s disaster management framework.

What do you think? How can educational institutions better integrate disaster preparedness training into their curricula? What role do you see yourself playing in making your community more disaster-resilient?

References

1. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2171898
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cadet_Corps_(India)
3. https://yas.nic.in/national-service-scheme-0
4. https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3713166-75-years-of-bharat-scouts-and-guides-president-murmu-urges-youth-to-lead-nations-future
5. https://yas.nic.in/youth-affairs/nehru-yuva-kendra-sangathan
6. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1584056
7. https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=192991