JB College, Jorhat gets UGC nod to introduce NCC as elective subject

A Correspondent

JORHAT, July 3: Jagannath Barooah College (autonomous) is going to take a bold step in the field of higher education by introducing NCC as an elective subject in BA Honours programme from the coming academic session 2018-19, following an order from the University Grants Commission signed by Prof Dr S Sandhu with reference to the Ministry of Human Resources development letter which has been forwarded with a communication no. 17107/JSR&D/DGNGG/Trg A-3/D (GS-V1) of the Ministry of Defence regarding implementation of NCC as an elective subject. “The Ministry of Human Resources development, as part of discussion in the JSRND conference hall, decided to implement NCC as an elective subject to be taken up by some selected colleges and requested us to implement NCC as an elective subject for the benefit of the students,” said Captain Jury Bhuyan Baishya, the associate NCC officer of 64 Girls Bn NCC, JB College, Jorhat on Tuesday.

Captain Juri said at present NCC was a youth organization under the Ministry of Defence which trains youths in value education and personality development with focus on discipline and leadership quality. It also teaches national integration through its syllabus and by organizing various camps. Till date NCC has been considered as a co-curricular activity pursued in addition to the main three years with examination held for ‘B’ and ‘C’ certificates under the Ministry of Defence.

Now, JB College (autonomous) has received permission from the UGC as well as Ministry of Human Resource Development and Ministry of Defence to start NCC as an elective subject under the CBCS curriculum in BA (Honours) course comprising four papers to be taught from the first semester to the fourth semester. The first meeting of the Board of Studies of NCC subject was held on 25.4.2018 under the chairmanship of Captain Jury Bhuyan Baishya, Associate NCC Officer of JB College, and the proceedings of the same were approved in the academic council meeting held on 02-06-2018. As per information received from the UGC Office, Delhi, JB College is one of the first institutions in the country to introduce NCC as an elective subject.

Various sections of the society, including educationists, administrators, and police officials and guardians, have welcomed the initiative taken by the college. “Introduction of this subject is the need of the hour. However, it is because of sincere and relentless effort of Captain Jury that we are proud to accept the commitment and assurance from the UGC which will help for the greater interest of the students community from the Arts Stream at present and we will seek further permission from the UGC for Science and Commerce stream so that more students get the benefit of building their career and their interest for taking up NCC,” said Dr. Bimal Bora, the Principal of JB College.