The need for having motto for the Corps was discussed in the 11th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting held on 11 Aug 1978.

The mottos suggested were :

• Duty and Discipline
• Duty, Unity and Discipline
• Duty and Unity
• Unity and Discipline

The final decision for selection of “Unity and Discipline” as the motto for the NCC was taken in the 12th CAC meeting held on 12 Oct 1980.