The National Service Scheme (NSS) is a Central Sector Scheme of Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. It provides opportunity to the student youth of 11th & 12th Class of schools at +2 Board level and student youth of Technical Institution, Graduate & Post Graduate at colleges and University level of India to take part in various government led community service activities & programmes.The sole aim of the NSS is to provide hands on experience to young students in delivering community service. Since inception of the NSS in the year 1969, the number of students strength increased from 40,000 to over 3.8 million up to the end of March 2018 students in various universities, colleges and Institutions of higher learning have volunteered to take part in various community service programmes.
The main objectives of National Service Scheme (NSS) are :
Understand the community in which they work
Understand themselves in relation to their community
Identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in problem-solving
Develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility
Utilise their knowledge in finding practical solutions to individual and community problems
Develop competence required for group-living and sharing of responsibilities
Gain skills in mobilising community participation
Acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitudes
Develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters
Practise national integration and social harmony
Motto :
The Motto of NSS "Not Me But You", reflects the essence of democratic living and upholds the need for self-less service. NSS helps the students develop appreciation to other person's point of view and also show consideration to '/other living beings. The philosophy of the NSS is well doctrined in this motto, which underlines/on the belief that the welfare .of an individual is ultimately dependent on the welfare of the society on the whole and therefore, the NSS volunteers shall strive for the well-being of the societySymbol:
The symbol for the NSS has been based on the giant Rath Wheel of the world famous Konark Sun Temple (The Black Pagoda) situated in Orissa, India. The wheel portrays the cycle of creation, preservation and release and signifies the movement in life across time and space, The symbol thus stands for continuity as well as change and implies the continuous striving of NSS for social change.
Badge :
The NSS Symbol is embossed on the badge. The eight bars in the wheel represent the 24 hours of a day. The red colour indicates that the volunteer is full of young blood that is lively, active, energetic and full of high spirit. The navy blue colour indicates the cosmos of which the NSS is tiny part, ready to contribute its share for the welfare of the mankind.
Financial Arrangements :
The scheme is funded by both Central and State Governments in the ratio of 7:5 to organise Regular Activities (RA) and special Camping Programmes (SCP). An amount of Rs.250/-per volunteer per annum is released towards Regular Activities (RA) and Rs.350/- per volunteer per Special Camping Programme (SCP) which is of 10-days duration to be organised in the adopted villages/communities.
In addition, the Government of India provides 100% financial assistance to run NSS Regional Centres, State Liaison Cells and TOCs/TORCs, The Central Government also provides -100% financial assistance for implementation of NSS Programmes in Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territories without Legislatures.
National Integration Camp (NIC) :
The National Integration Camp (NIC) is organized every year and the duration of each camp is of 7 days with day-night boarding & lodging. These camps are held in different parts of the country. Each camp involves 200 NSS volunteers to undertake the scheduled activities.
Objectives of the National Integration Camp :
Make the NSS volunteers aware of the following:
Rich cultural diversity of India
History of our diversified culture
National pride through knowledge about India
To integrate the nation through social service
Adventure Program :
The camps are held every year which are attended by approximately 1500 NSS volunteers with at least 50% of the volunteers being girl students. These camps are conducted in Himalayan Region in the North and Arunachal Pradesh in North East region. The adventure activities undertaken in these camps includes trekking of mountains, water rafting, Para-sailing and basic skiing.
Objectives of Adventure Program :
Promote various adventure activities among NSS volunteers
Infuse the sense of love towards the various regions of India
Enhance leadership qualities, fraternity, team spirit and risk taking capacity
Improvement of physical and mental strength
Exposure to new vocational possibilities
H. R. Dhananjaya
NSS Programme Officer