National Service Scheme (NSS) Events

About NSS

The National Service Scheme (NSS) is an Indian government- sponsored public service program conducted by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India. Popularly known as NSS, the scheme was launched in Gandhiji’s Centenary year, 1969. Aimed at developing student’s personality through community service, NSS is a voluntary association of young people in Colleges, Universities and at +2 level working for a campus-community linkage. The cardinal principle of the NSS programme is that it is organized by the students themselves, and both students and teachers through their combined participation in community service, get a sense of involvement in the tasks of nation building. The post independence era was marked by an urge for introducing social service for students, both as a measure of educational reform and as a means to improve the quality of educated man-power. The University Grants Commission headed by Dr. Radhakrishnan recommended introduction of national service in the academic institutions on a voluntary basis with a view to developing healthy contacts between the students and teachers on the one hand and establishing a constructive linkage between the campus and the community on the other hand. In India, the idea of involving students in the task of national service dates back to the times of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. The central theme which he tried to impress upon his student audience time and again was that they should always keep before them, their social responsibility. The first duty of the students should be, not to treat their period of study as one of the opportunities for indulgence in intellectual luxury, but for preparing themselves for final dedication in the service of those who provided the sinews of the nation with the national goods & services so essential to society. Advising them to form a living contact with the community in whose midst their institution is located, he suggested that instead of undertaking academic research about economic and social disability, the students should do "something positive so that the life of the villagers might be raised to a higher material and moral level".

Aims, Objectives & Motto of NSS

The objective of the National Service Scheme is "development of the personality of students through community service". This objective is sought to be achieved by enabling the students to work in community. 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.

The main objectives of National Service Scheme (NSS) are:

To enable the students 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 utilize their knowledge in finding practical solutions to individual and community problems;
To develop competence required for group-living and sharing of responsibilities;
To Gain skills in mobilizing community participation;
To acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude;
To develop capacity to meet emergencies and national disasters;
To practice national integration and social harmony.

Motto of NSS

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 doctrine 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.

Logo of NSS

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 of NSS

The NSS symbol is embossed on the NSS badge. The NSS volunteers wear it while undertaking any programme of community service. The Konark wheel in the symbol has eight bars which represent the 24 hours of the day. 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 Navy Blue colour indicates the cosmos of which the NSS is a tiny part, ready to contribute its share for the welfare of mankind.

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.

NSS Song

During Silver Jubilee Year the NSS theme song has been composed. All NSS volunteers are expected to learn the theme song and sing the song during NSS programmes and celebrations. The theme song cassette is available and the theme song is given in the end of the Manual.

Regular Activities of NSS

Regular activities includes functional literacy and non formal education, plantation, preservation and up keeping of trees, construction and repair of roads, cleaning of village ponds and wells, construction and laying of parks, health education and primary health care, first aid awareness, anti drug addiction drives, AIDS awareness, advocating advanced agricultural practice, disaster management (cyclones, floods, earth-quakes, drought), women empowerment, road safety, socio-economic surveys, improvement of campus, blood donation camps, immunization/health camps, environment/waster land development and conservation, literacy/educational programme, celebration of important day, national integration/communal harmony programmes, work in hospitals/orphanages/destitute homes, plastics eradication etc.

Flagship Programmes

Environment Awareness Programme;
Energy Conservation Programme;
Anti-Ragging Programme;
First Aid Training Programme;
Traffic Awareness;
Skill development;

NSS Volunteer

Who can enroll : Any person who is enroll himself / herself as a regular student in any undergraduate course at +2 stage affiliated to the Universities recognized by UGC / State Government. Only for NSS open unit at the University level any person who is socially oriented and in willing to devote his / her time for social service can enroll himself / herself.

When he / she can enrol : As soon as he / she secure admission for his / her studies for the above mentioned course he is eligible to enroll himself / herself in NSS as a volunteer. Generally the enrolment is done between June and July of every academic year.

Whom to contact : An assistant Professor / teacher who is incharge of NSS activities in the institution where you are studying should be contacted. The NSS in-charge is designated as NSS programme officer. If you don’t get the information then you can contact the Principal/registrar of the institution. For NSS open unit contact NSS Programme coordinator of the University.

What is duration of Volunteer ship : Students selected as NSS volunteers are expected to work in the scheme for a period of two years continuously and render community service for at least 120 hours in a year and also participate is special camping programmes of 07 days duration.

Fee : Admission Fees of Rs.100/- & Rs.1000/- for special camp may be charged from a student who wish to join NSS.

What are the formalities : A student who wants to join NSS his/her to fill a enrolment form which is supplied by the institution where he / she is studying.

International & National Days

#	Days	Date
1	National Youth Day	12^th January
2	Republic Day	26^th January
3	Martyr Day	30^th January
4	International Women Day	8^th March
5	World Health Day	7^th April
6	Anti-Terrorism Day	21^st May
7	World Environment Day	5^th June
8	World Population Day	11th July
9	Independence Day	15^th August
10	Sadbhavana Day	20^th August
11	International Literacy Day	8^th September
12	International Peace Day	15^th September
13	NSS Day	24^th September
14	National Blood Donation Day	2nd October
15	Communal Harmony Day	2^nd October
16	National Integration Day	19^th November
17	World AIDS Day	1^st December
18	World Human Rights Day	10^th December
Week
1	National Youth Week	12^th - 19^th January
2	Van Mahotsava Week	1^st - 7^th July
3	International Literacy week	8^th - 14^th July
4	Quami Ekta Week	19^th - 25^th November