National Service Scheme (NSS)

National Service Scheme, popularly known as 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, under the aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Before its genesis, a draft outline of the NSS was placed before the Education Minister’s conference in 1959. National Service Scheme was launched on 24 September, 1969 by the then Education Minister Dr. V.K. R.V. Rao in 37 universities covering all states . 40,000 students were enrolled in 1969 in 37 universities as pilot project covering all states. Today, NSS has more than 3.2 million student volunteers on its roll spread over 298 Universities and 42 (+2) Senior Secondary Councils and Directorate of Vocational Education all over the country. From its inception, more than 3.75 crores students from Universities, Colleges and Institutions of higher learning have benefited from the NSS activities, as student volunteers.

Important Observations:

The motto or watchword of the National Service Scheme is “NOT ME BUT YOU“.

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

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 NSS day is observed on 24th September every year. The NSS Headquarter is located in New Delhi.

The NSS Volunteers are trained to:

• To understand the community in which they work
• To understand themselves in relation to their community
• To identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in problem solving process.
• To develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility
• To utilise their knowledge in finding practical solution to individual and community problems
• To develop competence required for group-living and sharing of responsibilities
• To gain skills in mobilising community participation
• To acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude and to practice national integration and social harmony.

NSS scheme starts from 11th Standard onwards in schools. It has mainly two type of activities i. Regular Activities ii. Special Camping programmes. The scheme is voluntary but it is obligatory to wear NSS badge during community service. Please note that there is no uniform prescribed for NSS volunteers. A NSS volunteer has to dedicate total 240 hours social service in two years duration. The benefit to the NSS Volunteer is to get some weightage during admissions in higher studies and other benefits as decided by the institutions/university. It is compulsory to attend ten days NSS special camp beside regular activities (one camp in 2 years of volunteership).