61st course of National Defence College commences with 110 participants

New Delhi: The 61st course of National Defence College(NDC) commenced on February 01, 2021 with 110 participants, an increase of 10 participants from the last course. The majority of the increased seats havebeen allocated to officers from friendly foreign countries. The officers from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Philippines and Maldives are participating after a considerable gap of time. The participants from the friendly countries are representatives of the country’s regional as well as international diplomacy wherein NDC has accommodated participants from all continents except South America.However, there was a course participant from South America (Brazil) in the last NDC course.

The first NDC course was held in 1960. As on date, the college has 3,899 alumni, including 835 from 69 friendly foreign countries.There has been a marginal increase of two vacancies for Civil Services and the current strength of the Civil Services in the 61st NDC course is 19.

Welcoming the increased strength of foreign officers for the 61st course, NDC Commandant, Air Marshal D Choudhury expressed confidence that NDC would build on the challenges of previous years by converting them into opportunities. He added that ‘President’s Chair of Excellence on National Security’ established recently will enhance the pursuit of academic excellence at NDC.

President Shri Ram Nath Kovind had approved the establishment of the chair on November 02, 2020 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee Year of National Defence College.Air Vice Marshal (Dr) Arjun Subramaniam, AVSM (Retd.) has been designated as the first occupant of the prestigious chair.