Press Release

NCC Youth Exchange Programme 2025

On 13 January, a ceremony at the Helvetia Youth Hub marked the presentation of 6 Mauritian youth delegates selected for the NCC Republic Day Camp 2025 in India, scheduled from 15th to 30th January 2025. This year, as part of the Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) by the NCC, the delegates will engage with approximately 135 students from 18 countries, explore culturally and historically important sites in India, and meet with key leaders, including the Indian Defence Minister.

The event was graced by the presence of Hon. Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade; Hon. Darmarajen Nagalingum, Minister of Youth and Sports; Hon. Mrs. Eileen Karen Lee Chin Foo Kune-Bacha, Junior Minister of Youth and Sports; and Shri Anurag Srivastava, High Commissioner of India to Mauritius. In their addresses, the High Commissioner and Ministers encouraged the delegates to embrace this unique cultural journey and make the most of this invaluable opportunity.

This marks the fourth time Mauritius is participating in the NCC Youth Exchange Programme. In 2022, a Special Youth Exchange Programme was organized by the National Cadet Corps of India on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence Day. For the very first time, a group of 10 Mauritians in the 18-22 years age group was selected, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, to participate in this prestigious event. During the visit, the youngsters attended the Independence Day Celebrations on 15 August 2022 at the Red Fort in New Delhi, met with top dignitaries including Hon’ble Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, and visited places of historical and cultural significance such as the National War Museum, India Gate, and Taj Mahal. A second and third group of 10 youngsters each from Mauritius participated in the NCC Republic Day Camp in January 2023 and January 2024, respectively.

The Youth Exchange Programme is a reflection of the special partnership between India and Mauritius, and takes forward the steadfast cooperation in training and capacity building. Mauritius has been a key beneficiary of India’s ITEC programme, with approximately 4,700 Mauritians trained under civilian and defence slots since 2007-08. Through the ICCR India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme, 60 scholarships were extended to Mauritian students last year to pursue higher education in India. Additionally, 542 students have benefitted from the e-Vidya Bharti Arogya Bharti (e-VBAB) distance learning project. Mauritian youth have also been enthusiastic participants in the Know India Programme, with approximately 375 participants since 2004.

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