National Service Scheme (NSS)

About NSS

Introduction

The National Service Scheme started by Government of India, Ministry of Education and culture, department of Government of India. National Service Scheme (NSS) was launched during 1969, the birth centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi, in 37 universities involving 40000 students. NSS is an extension dimension to the higher education system to orient the student youth to community service while they are studying in educational institutions. It is being implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.

Aims and objectives of NSS

1. To understand the community in which they work;
2. To understand themselves in relation to their community;
3. To identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in problem solving process.
4. To develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility;
5. To utilise their knowledge in finding practical solution to individual and community problems;
6. To develop competence required for group-living and sharing of responsibilities:
7. To gain skills in mobilizing community participation;
8. To acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude;
9. To develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters; and
10. To practice national integration and social harmony

Motto of NSS

The motto or watchword of the National Service Scheme is "NOT ME BUT YOU". This expresses the essence of democratic living and upholds the need to appreciate the other person’s point of view first and show consideration for fellow human beings. NSS attempts to establish meaningful linkages between “Campus and Community”, “Collage and Village” and “Knowledge and Action”.

NSS Symbol

The NSS symbol is based on the "Rath" wheel of the Konark Sun Temple situated in Odisha.

The navy blue colour indicates the cosmos of which the NSS is a tiny part, ready to contribute its share for the welfare of the mankind.

The Red colour in the badge indicates that the NSS volunteers are full of blood i.e. lively, active, energetic and full of high spirit.

The giant wheels of the Sun Temple portray the cycle of creation, preservation and release, and signify the movement in life across time and space.

Administrative Structure

The basic unit of NSS normally comprises of 100 volunteers, at University level, there is an NSS Cell and a designated Programme Coordinator (PC) to coordinate the NSS activities in respect of all NSS units in the University and its all departments.

At State level, there is a State NSS Cell headed by a State NSS Officer (SNO), located in one of the Departments of the State Government.

At the National level there is a Directorate of NSS, which functions through 15 Regional Directorates (located at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Patna, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram). In addition, there are Advisory Committees at National, State, University and Institution level, comprising of official and non-official members, to provide necessary guidance to the NSS functionaries.

Programmes (Regular & Special Camp)

The NSS has two types of programmes, viz., (a) Regular activities and (b) Special Camping programmes. Under the “ Regular Activities”, students are expected to work as volunteers for a continuous period of two years, rendering community service for a minimum of 120 hours per annum (i.e. 240 hours over 2 years period). Under “Special Camping Programme” a camp of 07 days’ duration is conducted every year in the adopted area on a specific theme. Each student is required to participate in at least one Special Camp over 2 years period. 

The nature of activities taken up under NSS continues to evolve in response to the needs of the community.

List of most important activities undertaken under NSS are as below:

1. Education: adult literacy, pre-school education, continuing education of school drop-outs, legal literacy, consumer awareness, programmes on eradication of social evils, etc.
2. Health, Family Welfare and Nutrition: immunisation, blood donation, health education, AIDS awareness, population education and family welfare programmes, working with people in nutrition programmes, provision of safe drinking water, life skill education, etc.
3. Environment Conservation: plantation of trees and their preservation/upkeep, cleaning and maintenance of streets drains etc. Construction of sanitary latrines, watershed management, soil conservation, etc.
4. Social Service Programmes: Work in hospitals, institutions for disabled persons, orphanages, old-age hoes, women welfare institutions, etc.
5. Programmes for improving Status of Women: awareness generation regarding women’s rights, creating awareness among women regarding how they can contribute to the social and economic well-being of the community, imparting skill training to women wherever possible.
6. Production oriented Programmes: working with people and teaching them about improving agriculture practices, soil testing, repair of agricultural machinery, assistance and guidance in animal resource development, promoting small savings, assistance in procuring bank loans.
7. Relief and Rehabilitation during Natural Calamities: assisting and working with local authorities in rescue and relief operation, in distribution of rations, medicines, clothing, immunisation and inoculation, etc.
8. Financing Mechanism for SFUs: The institution of SFUs  need to raise necessary resources for running of the NSS unit on their own. SFU unit of 100 students annual fund support required Rs 47000/- this fund may raised either Management/PTA or to be collected from students by charging a nominal fee Rs 950/- per student at a time of joining NSS. Also funds could be mobilised through CSR activities of corporate sector, and it could be mobilised from any other legitimate source as well. Such institution shall follow the financial norms and accounting procedures of NSS, as applicable to other NSS units.