KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) will be the first public university to implement the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0, with the programme scheduled to commence in mid-2026.
National Service Training Department (JLKN) director-general Major General (R) Datuk Ya'cob Samiran said the programme would also be expanded to three polytechnics and Teacher Education Institutes nationwide next year.
He said the programme is supported by a RM250 million allocation under the 2026 Budget, which will fund the pilot phase before being rolled out to all public universities by 2027.
"We plan to start at UPSI in June or July next year," he told reporters after attending the PLKN 3.0 Female Shooting Training Session, Series 3/2025, at Perdana Camp, Sungai Besi here today.
The PLKN 3.0 module will also be integrated into the curriculum as a compulsory subject for new students enrolling in public universities from next year onwards.
“For students enrolling from next year or those born after 2008, the programme will be mandatory as part of their academic requirements, particularly under the nationhood subject," he said.
However, students who have previously participated in military programmes such as the Officer Training Reserve Corps (OTRC) will be exempt from the basic military training module.
Ya'cob added that PLKN 3.0 would focus on three key modules, namely nationhood, leadership, and basic military training, to foster patriotism and national responsibility among youth.
"The modules are designed to instil national pride, leadership skills, and an understanding of basic military principles, helping participants become responsible citizens," he said.
The first session of PLKN 3.0 for 2026 will run from January to March, involving trainees aged 17 to 25, selected through a computerised ballot or on a voluntary basis.
Ya'cob also announced that 11 PLKN camps would be operational nationwide in 2026, including a new camp at Syed Sirajuddin Camp in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan. Two more camps are planned to open in 2027.
