The National Service Scheme (NSS) is a voluntary and value-based student youth programme, one of the, major youth schemes being operated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sport of the Government of India. The Scheme was launched with the primary objective of developing the personality and character of the student youth through voluntary community service. It was launched in Gandhiji’s Centenary year on 24th September 1969.

Aims & Objectives: The Aims and Objectives of NSS are:

• To arouse the social conscience among students and provide them with an opportunity to engage in creative and constructive social action thus render service to the society
• To apply the education they receive to concrete social use and specifically
  • To work with and among the people.
  • To enhance knowledge of oneself and the community through a face to face reality.
  • To use the knowledge gained in the classroom in a practical way for mitigating at least some of the social problems.
  • To gain skills in programme development to be able to be self-employed.

Motto: The motto of the NSS “NOT ME BUT YOU”.

It expresses the essence of democratic living and upholds the need to appreciate the other person’s point of view first and to show consideration for fellow human beings. It also underlines that the welfare of the individual is ultimately dependent on the welfare of society as a whole.

Programmes: The NSS has two types of programmes viz.,

• Regular Activities
• Special Camping Programme.

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 year period).

Under “Special Camping Programme” , a camp of 7 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 year period.

Nature of activities under NSS

• Education: Adult literacy, pre-school education, continuing education of education school drop-outs, legal literacy , consumer awareness, programmes on eradication of social evils, etc
• Health, Family Welfare and Nutrition: Immunisatin, Blood donation, health education, AIDS awareness, population education and family welfare programmes, working with people in nutrition programme, provision of safe drinking water, life skill education,etc.
• Environment Conservation: Plantation of trees and preservation/ upkeep, cleaning and maintenance of streets drains etc., construction of sanitary latrines, watershed management, soil conservation etc.
• Social Service Programmes: work in hospitals, institutions for disabled persons, orphanages, old age homes, Women welfare institutions etc.
• 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.
• Production-oriented Programmes: working with people and teaching them about improved agricultural practices, soil testing, repair of agricultural machinery, assistance and guidance in animal resource development, promoting small savings, assistance in procuring bank loans.
• Relief and Rehabilitation during Natural Calamities: Assisting and working with local authorities in rescue and relief operation, in distribution of rations, medicines, clothing, immunization and inoculation etc.