Maharashtra SSC NCC & Sea Cadet Corps Grade key terms

The guiding phrase of the National Cadet Corps, adopted to stress that cadets work together as one body while obeying orders, keeping time and maintaining personal conduct.

Three stated purposes: to develop qualities of character, courage, comradeship, discipline and leadership; to create a secular, trained and motivated youth; and to provide a pool of trained youth for the armed forces.

The chain of command running from the Directorate General at New Delhi through State Directorates to Group Headquarters, and then to NCC battalions, companies and units located in schools and colleges.

A state-level NCC headquarters, commanded by an officer of the rank of Brigadier or equivalent, that supervises all group headquarters and units within its territory.

A unit of the NCC commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent, made up of several companies drawn from schools and colleges in its area of responsibility.

A teacher or lecturer of a school or college who is commissioned into the NCC after training and who leads the local sub-unit while continuing normal academic duties.

The process of building a single national identity across regions, religions, languages and castes, promoted in the NCC through mixed camps, national camps and cultural exchange.

The annual NCC camp at Delhi in January where selected cadets take part in the Prime Minister's Rally, march past and cultural programmes, and meet senior national leaders.

An annual all-India NCC camp for the Army wing held at Delhi, testing cadets in drill, firing, map reading, field craft and tent pitching through inter-directorate competition.

Coordinated movement of a body of persons on foot in response to spoken commands, used to teach alertness, obedience, teamwork and smartness of bearing.

The set phrases an instructor uses to order movement, normally split into a cautionary part that warns the squad and an executive part that starts the movement.

Drill carried out by a group of cadets formed in ranks and files, where movements are executed together on the word of the squad commander rather than individually.

A formal gesture of respect, given by bringing the right hand smartly to the head or by turning the head and eyes, used when addressing officers or passing colours and dignitaries.

Formal drill performed on parades and special occasions, including the march past, presenting arms, colours ceremony and inspection, following laid-down sequence and timing.

The theory and practice of handling and firing a rifle accurately, covering aim, trigger control, breathing, firing positions and the rules of range safety.

The set of rules that must be obeyed on a firing range, such as never pointing a weapon at a person, keeping the weapon unloaded until ordered and obeying the range officer.

The safe and correct way of holding, loading, unloading and carrying a rifle, including the standard holds and the check that the weapon is clear before handling.

Squeezing the trigger steadily and evenly with the pad of the finger so that the aim is not disturbed, instead of jerking or snatching at the moment of firing.

Aligning the eye, the rear sight and the foresight on the target so that the sights are correctly centred, giving a consistent sight picture before the shot is released.

The naval wing of the NCC, which trains cadets in naval subjects such as seamanship, boat work, navigation and naval traditions alongside regular NCC drill and discipline.

Long-standing customs of the navy such as piping, colours, the salute, mess etiquette and the use of bells, which mark respect, timekeeping and the identity of a ship.

The special vocabulary of ships and sailors, including port and starboard, bow and stern, deck, bulkhead, gangway, and the use of 'ship' and 'boat' in their correct senses.

The practical skill of handling a vessel and its equipment, covering ropes, knots, anchoring, mooring, rigging, boat handling and the care of deck gear.

Three families of rope work: knots tied in the end of a rope, bends joining two ropes, and hitches fastening a rope to an object such as a post or ring.

The handling of small craft, including pulling on oars, steering, coming alongside, leaving a jetty and the orders used by a coxswain to control the crew.

An instrument that indicates direction by means of a magnetic needle or card, used to steer a course and to take bearings, subject to variation and deviation errors.

A nautical map showing depths of water, coastlines, hazards and aids to navigation, used for planning a passage and fixing a vessel's position at sea.

The direction of one object from another, measured as an angle from north and expressed in degrees, used in navigation to fix position or to steer towards a mark.

The study of weather elements such as pressure, temperature, wind, cloud and humidity, used at sea to judge visibility, sea state and approaching changes in conditions.

Immediate, temporary care given to an injured or suddenly ill person before professional medical help arrives, aimed at preserving life and preventing the condition worsening.

Personal and camp practices that prevent disease, such as washing hands, keeping water safe, disposing of waste properly and maintaining clean cooking and sleeping areas.

The skills of living and working in the field, including camouflage, concealment, judging distance, moving quietly, sentry duty and the selection of a good position.

The practical skills of setting up and running a camp, such as choosing a site, pitching and striking tents, digging drainage, and arranging sanitation and cooking areas.

Organised activities such as trekking, rock climbing, rappelling and water sports that build courage, endurance, teamwork and confidence in cadets under supervised conditions.

The condition of having enough strength, stamina and flexibility to carry out daily tasks and camp activities without undue fatigue, maintained through regular exercise and sport.

Voluntary work done for the community, such as cleanliness drives, blood donation camps, tree planting and literacy help, forming part of the cadet's wider citizenship training.

The duties listed in Article 51A of the Constitution, asking citizens to respect the Constitution, protect national unity and safeguard public property and the environment.

General knowledge of India's armed forces, their ranks, commands, equipment and current operations, expected of cadets as part of their wider military education.

Recent national and international events, appointments, exercises and defence developments that a cadet is expected to follow and be able to discuss in tests and interviews.