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National Service Scheme, NSS is an extension dimension of the higher education system to encourage the student youth to participate actively in community service while studying in educational institutions. It was put in place in 1969, the birth centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi, in 37 universities involving over 40000 students. It is administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India.
NSS Aims and objectives:
- To learn the local area wherein they work
- To comprehend themselves corresponding to their local area
- To recognize the requirements and issues of the local area and include them in the critical thinking process
- To create among themselves a feeling of social and urban obligation
- To use their insight in tracking down the viable answers for individual and local area issues
- To promote ability expected for group living and sharing of responsibilities
- To acquire abilities in assembling local area interest
- To gain authority characteristics and vote based disposition
- To promote the ability to meet crises and cataclysmic events
- To practise public coordination and social concordance
National Service Scheme Motto:
The motto or watchword of the National Service Scheme is “NOT ME BUT YOU“.
Enrollment in NSS:
NSS is a voluntary scheme. NSS scheme starts from 11th Standard onwards. At the college level, the NSS volunteers will be enrolled from the first and second-year degree-class students. The students from foreign countries studying in Indian universities can also join NSS so that they may share the experiences of national reconstruction and community work. NCC cadets will not be allowed to join NSS. Similarly, NSS volunteers will not participate in NCC or any other youth organisation as long as they are in NSS.
An NSS volunteer needs to devote a total of 240 hours of social service in two years duration. Every year, an NSS volunteer has to devote 20 hrs. of orientation and 100 hrs. of community service.
To enrol as an NSS volunteer, contact the NSS Programme Officer of your school/college. Enrollment in NSS is free.
The NSS volunteers on successful completion of the required hours of service are issued a certificate. NSS volunteers can get some weightage during admissions in higher studies and other benefits as decided by the institutions/university.
National Service Scheme Principle Elements:
The principle elements of the National Service Scheme are as follows-
- Students
- Teachers
- Community
- The Programme
National Service Scheme Administrative Structure:
At College or School Level: The NSS unit that is available at schools is the basic unit. Foundations are doled out of the NSS unit as indicated by the number of students. Typically, the strength of the NSS unit is around 100 students. The individual who is accountable for the NSS unit is the Program Officer, and he/she will be liable for the association of the NSS unit and execution of the projects.
At the Regional Level: Depending on the size and strength of the state, an NSS Regional Centre is established. The head of the Regional Centre is either an Assistant Programme Adviser or a Deputy Programme Adviser. In order to ensure the smooth running of the NSS programme, many regional centres have been established throughout India in cooperation with college councils, universities, and State Governments.
At the State Level: State NSS Cells are established and supervised by the State Liaison Officer. The Indian Government provides financial support to establish State NSS Cells.
At the University Level: Universities that conduct the NSS program will have an NSS cell. Full-time coordinators will be on hand at universities that have a strength of over 10,000. Part-time coordinators will be on hand in universities that have a strength of less than 10,000.
NSS Present Status:
Currently, NSS has roughly 3,86 million student youth enrolled in 41,442 NSS units within 396 Universities/+2 Councils, 16,331 Colleges/ Technical Institutions, and 28,621 Senior Secondary Schools around the country.
National Service Scheme Activities:
The main activities of the National Service Scheme are as follows-
- Adventure programs
- Plantation
- Immunisation
- Blood donation
- National Integration Camp
- Shramdaan
- Disaster Management
Types of NSS Activities:
There are two types of activities in NSS- Regular Activities and Annual Special Camp. Every one of the NSS Volunteers who have served NSS for something like 2 years and have performed 240 hours of work under NSS is qualified for an endorsement from the college under the mark of the Vice-Chancellor and the Program Coordinator. The Annual camps are known as Special Camps. Camps are held yearly, supported by the public authority of India, and are typically situated in a country town or a city suburb. Volunteers might be engaged with so many exercises such as:
- Cleaning
- Afforestation
- Stage shows or
- creating awareness about issues such as social problems, education, and cleanliness
- Awareness Rallies
- Inviting doctors to health camps
The volunteers are not pre-defined or assigned specific tasks, it is up to them to provide service in any way they can. NSS camps typically last between a week and ten days, but shorter camps are also conducted from time to time.
National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards:
To recognize the voluntary service generated by NSS volunteers, Programme Officers (POs), NSS Units, and the University NSS Cells, there are suitable incentives/ awards under the scheme. NSS awards include-
- Indira Gandhi NSS Award
- State level awards
- University level awards
- District level awards
- College level awards
National Service Scheme Logo:
- The NSS symbol depends on the “Rath” wheel of the Konark Sun Temple arranged in Odisha.
- The naval force blue tone shows the universe of which the NSS is a small part, prepared to contribute its portion for the government assistance of humanity.
- The Red tone in the identification shows that the NSS volunteers are loaded with blood for example exuberant, dynamic, fiery, and brimming with an optimistic mood.
- The monster wheels of the Sun Temple represent the pattern of creation, protection, and discharge, and imply the development in life across reality.
Here, we cover a small piece of information about the National Service Scheme. For more information visit the NSS Government official website. Stay tuned to get notified about the other Government schemes.