NCC North Eastern Region Wins Overall Crown at Inter Directorate Drone Competition 2026 in Salem
Salem, Tamil Nadu, November 2, 2026: The National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate North Eastern Region (NER) has emerged as the Overall Champion at the Inter Directorate Drone Competition 2026, held in Salem from October 23 to November 2, 2026.
The result gives the North Eastern Region a notable distinction in a competition that brought together cadets from different NCC directorates to test their skills in drone technology, an area of growing importance in defence and civilian applications. The NER contingent stood out for its technical proficiency, precision, innovation and flying ability across the event.
A key factor in the directorate’s victory was its performance in two of the four major events. NER cadets secured first place in the Drone Assembly and Flying Skills categories, results that contributed directly to their overall championship title.
The Drone Assembly event assessed the cadets’ understanding of drone systems, practical engineering ability and capacity to put together the aircraft correctly. The Flying Skills event, meanwhile, tested their control, accuracy and confidence in operating drones, reflecting the kind of practical training the NCC is increasingly encouraging among its cadets.
Individual honours also went to the North Eastern Region contingent. Junior Under Officer (JUO) Audrea P. Jyrwa won the Individual Medal for Best Senior Wing (SW) Overall in Flying, adding to the directorate’s success and drawing attention to her personal performance in the competition.
Her recognition also highlighted the growing participation and success of women cadets in technology-focused NCC activities. Along with the team’s achievements, it showed the depth of talent within the North Eastern Region contingent.
The competition offered a platform for cadets to demonstrate their knowledge and practical ability in drone technology, which has applications in defence, surveillance, disaster management and civilian operations. In that context, the event served not only as a contest but also as a way to build familiarity with a field that is increasingly relevant to modern security and operational requirements.
Unmanned aerial systems have become more significant in contemporary military operations, making drone-related technical training a valuable skill area for young cadets. Through events such as drone assembly and flying, the NCC seeks to strengthen practical engineering knowledge, problem-solving ability, teamwork and confidence in handling advanced technology.
The victory of the North Eastern Region Directorate is particularly important because it reflects the technical capability and competitive performance of cadets from the northeastern states of India. Winning first place in two major events and securing the overall championship indicates disciplined preparation and consistent execution against participants from other directorates.
The achievement also reflects the NCC’s wider approach to balancing traditional values such as discipline, leadership and teamwork with technological awareness and innovation. In that sense, the result at Salem represents both an individual and institutional success for the organisation.
The success of JUO Audrea P. Jyrwa further strengthens that picture, adding an individual achievement to the collective performance of the directorate. Together, these results made the Salem competition a memorable one for the NCC North Eastern Region.
For the contingent, instructors and supporting personnel, the title is a matter of pride and a reflection of the effort invested in building competence in an emerging technological field. By finishing as Overall Champion at the Inter Directorate Drone Competition 2026, NCC Directorate NER has set a new benchmark for technical proficiency, innovation and competitive performance within the NCC.
