The First National Conference on 'Indian Defence System and Role of National Cadet Corps (NCC)' was organised in the NIT Rourkela.

The aim and objective of the conference are to focus attention on the current scenario, technologies and research activities in Indian defence system and responsibilities of NCC cadets.

It covered 16 talks and more than 50 poster presentations from various battalions of India.

Colonel SC Kulkarni, CO 9(O) Battalion, motivated the cadets to join the Indian defence system.

With the rise of global security challenges of the 21st century, asymmetric warfare (economic warfare, satellite warfare, cyber warfare or AI-generated technologies, which can act and think like humans) has emerged, and the next generation should learn to deal with these challenges, he said.

Colonel PD Gyatso (Group head Quarter, Sambalpur, Odisha Battalion), briefed on the career opportunities in Indian military forces.

With departments like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the country has reduced the number of imports in buying technologies and weapons. "Fulfilling the Make in India vision, we have developed modern technologies. NCC cadets pursuing science or engineering can join DRDO or other R&D wings under the Ministry of Defence and take the organisation to a better height," he said.

Prof K Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT-R inspired the NCC cadets with the story of the youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav.

 Lieutenant Udaya, Captain Arya Jena and Lieutenant PK Sahoo spoke on topics like 'Career and Job Opportunities for NCC Cadets', 'Exploring the Robust Defence System' and 'Role of NCC In Disaster Management' respectively.

Later in the day, the NCC cadets presented their thoughts on different subjects like 'Ballistic and cruise missile systems', 'Artificial Intelligence and role of computer technology in Indian defence system', '5G technology in Indian defence system', 'Role of NCC in making new leaders', 'War Heroes and their impact on defence innovations', 'Implementation of new ideas and upgradation in our defence system' etc.