A total of 352 young people have departed to take part in the third batch of the National Service Training Programme, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said.

In a post on X, President Muizzu said the participants were selected from among 1,785 youths who applied for the programme's second intake opportunity.

The group comprises 64 females and 288 males from 115 islands across 20 atolls.

The three-month training programme will be conducted at the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Composite Training Centre in Lhaviyani atoll Maafilaafushi.

According to the President, participants will receive training in areas including nationalism, responsible citizenship, religious values, ethics and behavior, leadership, physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.

President Muizzu said the programme forms part of the government's broader policy to develop a patriotic and responsible generation of young people who are self-confident, spiritually grounded and physically healthy.

The latest intake follows the departure of the second batch of National Service participants on 3 June. That group was sent to the MNDF School of Engineering and Logistics in Baa atoll Kihaadhoo.

The second batch comprised 77 participants aged between 16 and 19 from 50 islands across 17 atolls.