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According to the latest Annual Report 2018-19 of the Ministry of Defence, girl cadets enrollment accounted for less than half - 31%,  as against the remaining 69% for boys during the given period in the NCC. Of the total 13, 29, 202 enrollments during the period, the girl cadet number stood at 4, 23, 464 combining all the wings.  The least preferred NCC wing by girl cadets in the Navy, with 14717 enrollments in a total of 58940 and the highest being Army. The girl cadets constitute a total of 35% of the total NCC strength in India. Earlier this year, a verdict of the Supreme Court of India paved the way for the entry of women into the NDA (National Defence Academy).  

Among the states, the enrollment in Jammu and Kashmir was least with 26% against 73% for boys in the state, followed by Andaman Nicobar Island with 27% against 72% for boys. Bihar and Jharkhand stood in third place with 29% for girls against 70% for boys. The state of Kerala saw the highest enrollment with 44% against 55% of boys. 

Replying to a question on what the government is doing to increase the enrollment of girl cadets in NCC, Shri. Ajay Bhatt, Minister of State for Defence replied:

To encourage enrolment of girl cadets in NCC, ‘The mixed Unit” Concept was introduced in the year 2005. Before that, NCC had only a Boys' unit and a Girls' unit. Now NCC units are either Girls unit that allows girls only or mixed units that enrol both Boys and Girls.

There is no ‘Boys Only’ unit. While raising new NCC units, there have been conscious efforts to raise more number of girls units. Since the year 2010, nine girls' Battalions have been raised. In order to ensure the safety and security of girls cadets in NCC camps and training venues, Girl Cadet Instructors (GCI) are appointed.

 Being escorted by GCI instils confidence in girls and encourages them to join NCC. Starting from 2020-21, sanction has been accorded for the recruitment of 637 GCIs in a phased manner. As per the latest data available, the girl cadet strength in NCC is 35.48 % of total enrolment.

The National Cadet Corps was established by virtue of the NCC Act, 1948. The NCC strives to provide the youth of the country the opportunities for all-around development with a sense of commitment, dedication, self-discipline and moral values so that they become a responsible citizen of tomorrow. The Motto of NCC is “Unity and Discipline”.