NCC as a Platform for Holistic Development of Engineering Students: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Authors

  • Shreyas M Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering
  • Vinay K B Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering
  • Bharath P Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering
  • Ramya B Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering
  • Sudarshan N Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.16920/jeet/2026/v39i4/26106

Keywords:

National Cadet Corps (NCC), holistic development, engineering students, structural equation modeling (SEM), higher education, student development, co-curricular activities, Leadership training

Abstract

This study examines the effect of National Cadet Corps (NCC) participation on the holistic development of engineering students in India, utilizing a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. Holistic development is operationalized through four dimensions: physical, mental, emotional, and social development. Data were collected from 189 engineering students who are NCC cadets, using a structured questionnaire with validated scales. The SEM results demonstrate that NCC participation has a strong, positive, and statistically significant effect on all four developmental domains (path coefficients ranging from 0.659 to 0.706, p < 0.001 for all). Among these, mental development (β = 0.382, p < 0.001) and social development (β = 0.546, p < 0.001) are the most significant predictors of overall holistic development, while physical and emotional development do not show a significant direct effect when controlling for other domains. The model explains 83.7% of the variance in holistic development (R² = 0.837), indicating a robust explanatory power. The findings align with NCC’s core objectives of leadership development, discipline, and social responsibility. These findings highlight the multidimensional benefits of NCC, particularly in enhancing cognitive and social competencies, and support the integration of NCC activities into engineering education to produce well-rounded graduates. The study provides empirical evidence for policymakers and educators to recognize NCC as a medium for youth development in technical institutions.

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Published

2026-04-30

How to Cite

M, S., K B, V., P, B., B, R., & N, S. (2026). NCC as a Platform for Holistic Development of Engineering Students: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach. Journal of Engineering Education Transformations, 39(4), 43–58. https://doi.org/10.16920/jeet/2026/v39i4/26106

Issue

Volume 39, Issue 4, April 2026

Section

Articles
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Scopus
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Europe PMC

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