Lieutenant General Virendra Vats is now new chief of the National Cadet Corps. He assumed the office of Director General of the National NCC, succeeding Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, on October 01, 2025. Lt Gen Vats takes over at a significant juncture when NCC, the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation, is expanding its cadet strength to 20 lakhs across 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
Commissioned into the 19 KUMAON Regiment of the Indian Army on December 17, 1988, Lt Gen Virendra Vats brings with him 37 years of distinguished service. He has served in challenging Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism environments, and held key appointments in Arunachal Pradesh, the Kashmir Valley, and Army Headquarters.Lt. Gen.
Virendra Vats also commanded an Infantry Brigade under the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Prior to this appointment, he was the Commandant at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
“An alumnus of the National Defence Academy( Khadakwasla) , Indian Military Academy (Dehradun), College of Defence Management ( Secunderabad) and the National Defence College (New Delhi), Lt Gen Virendra Vats brings a wealth of operational and leadership experience. His expertise and vision are expected to steer the NCC with renewed vigour, further enhancing its role in shaping disciplined, responsible and future-ready youth for the nation,” said in a press release.
