National Service Scheme

National Service Scheme, popularly known as NSS was launched in 1969-the birth centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi, in 37 Universities involving 40,000 students with primary focus on the Personality Development of the student volunteers through service to the community. Today, NSS has more than 3.4 million volunteers on its roll spread over 301 Universities and 42 (+2) Senior Secondary Councils and Directorate of Technical Education all over the country. Since its inception more than 3.75 crore students from various institutions of higher learning have been benefitted out of this scheme.

The “Regular Activities” and Special Camping Programmes” are the two main components of NSS programmes. During the two year volunteer-ship, the volunteers devote 240 hours under Regular activities. This includes 20 hours of general orientation regarding NSS and the mode of work they have to do in their volunteer-ship. Out of the remaining 220 hours, 30 hours are given for the campus development and rest 190 hours for the services in the community in various areas as per the need and priority.

Every volunteer has to attend one special camping programme to become eligible for getting the NSS Certificate. This residential camp is of 7 days duration and is organized in the adopted village by the NSS units based on specific themes which keep on changing from time to time.NSS, over the years has made outstanding contributions in the field of Mass Literacy, Environment Preservation, Waste Land development, Watershed Management, Health Education, Community Development, Disaster Management, Adolescent Health Development, HIV/AIDs Awareness, Drive against Social evils, Homes for the homeless, Mass forestation drives, Communal and Social Harmony etc.

Objectives of NSS

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 society.

Symbol:

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.

Aim:

The programme aims to inculcate social welfare in students, and to provide service to society without bias. NSS volunteers work to ensure that everyone who is needy gets help to enhance their standard of living and lead a life of dignity. In doing so, volunteers learn from people in villages how to lead a good life despite a scarcity of resources. It also provides help in natural and man-made disasters by providing food, clothing and first aid to the disaster victims.

NSS Day:

NSS was formally launched on 24th September, 1969, the birth centenary year of the Father of the Nation. Therefore, 24 September is celebrated every year as NSS Day with appropriate programmes and activities.

Advisory Committee for NSS

Activity Reports