One
of the landmarks in the growth of NCC has been the introduction of social
service in 1953. The aim was to sensitise the cadets towards the needs and
problems of the society and enable them to find their solutions. During
1962 and 1971 wars, NCC cadets took an active part in looking after the
war–affected people. Similarly, cadets rose to the occasion during
Bhopal gas tragedy. The cadets rushed to the scene of tragedy and 
participated
in rescue and relief operations. Applauding the performance of the cadets,
the then Chief Secretary to the Madhya Pradesh Government, in a letter to
the Director General, NCC wrote: "...the cadets and staff gave a good
account of themselves. Their
work has been very widely appreciated".
The
cadets were in the forefront when a massive earthquake rocked Maharashtra
in 1993. The 52 and 53 Maharashtra Battalions, NCC were among the first to
reach the disaster site for rescue and relief operations. When Orissa was
ravaged by a super cyclone, the cadets attended the call of duty. A large
number of cadets under the aegis of Deputy Director General, NCC assisted
the civil administration in restoring normalcy. During the drought that
enveloped Surendranagar in Saurashtra in 2000 and the floods that caused
unprecedented havoc in many parts of West Bengal same year the cadets were
at hand to provide succour to the needy. The never-say-die spirit of the
cadets saved many during Gujarat earthquake.
