Introduction To NSS

1. 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”.
2. 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 manpower. 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.
3. The idea was again considered by the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) at its meeting held in January, 1950. After examining the various aspects of the matter and in the light of experience of other countries in this field, the Board recommended that students should devote some time to manual work on a voluntary basis and that the teachers should also associate with them in such work. In the draft First Five year Plan adopted by the Government of India in 1952, the need for social and labour service for students for one year was further stressed. Consequent upon this, labour and social service camps, campus work projects, village apprenticeship scheme etc. were put into operation by various educational institutions, In 1958, the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in his letter to the Chief-Ministers, mooted the idea of having social service as a prerequisite for graduation. He further directed the Ministry of Education to formulate a suitable scheme for introduction of national service into the academic institutions.
4. In 1959, a draft outline of the scheme was placed before the Education Minister’s Conference. The Conference was unanimous about the urgent need for trying out a workable scheme for national service. In view of the fact that education as it was imparted in schools and colleges, left something to be desired and it was necessary to supplement it with programmes which would arouse interest the social and economic reconstruction of the country. It was viewed that if the objectives of the scheme were to be realized, it was essential to integrate social service with the educational process as early as possible. The Conference suggested the appointment of a committee to work out details of the proposed pilot project. In pursuance of these recommendations, a National Service Committee was appointed under the Chairmanship of Dr. C.D. Deshmukh on August 28, 1959 to make concrete suggestions in this direction. The committee recommended that national service for a period of nine months to a year Deshmukh on August 28, 1959 to make concrete suggestions in this direction. The committee recommended that national service for a period of nine months to a year may be made compulsory for all students completing high school education and intending to enroll themselves in a college or a university. The scheme was to include some military training, social service, manual labour and general education. The recommendations of the Committee could not be accepted because of its financial implications and difficulties in implementation.
5. In 1960, at the instance of the Government of India, Prof. K.G. Saiyidain studied national service by students implemented in several countries of the world and submitted his report under the title “National Service for the Youth” to the Government with a number of recommendations as to what could be done in India to develop a feasible scheme of social service by students. It was also recommended that social service camps should be open to students as well as non-students within the prescribed age group for better inter-relationship.
6. The Education Commission headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari (1964-66) recommended that students at all stages of education should be associated with some form of social service. This was taken into account by the State Education Minister during their conference in April 1967 and they recommended that at the university stage, students could be permitted to join the National Cadet Corps (NCC) which was already in existence on a voluntary basis and an alternative to this could be offered to them in the form of a new programme called the National Service Scheme (NSS). Promising sportsmen, however, should be exempted from both and allowed to join another scheme called the National Sports Organisation (NSO), in view of the need to give priority to the development of sports and athletics.
7. The Vice Chancellors’ Conference in September, 1969 welcomed this recommendation and suggested that a special committee of Vice Chancellors could be set up to examine this question in detail. In the statement of national policy on education of the Government of India, it was laid down that work experience and national service should be an integral part of education. In May, 1969, a conference of the students’ representatives of the universities and institutions of higher learning convened by the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission also unanimously declared ‘that national service could be a powerful instrument for national integration. It could be used to introduce urban students to rural life. Projects of permanent value could also be undertaken as a symbol of the contribution of the student community to the progress and upliftment of the nation.
8. The details were soon worked out and the Planning Commission sanctioned an outlay of Rs. 5 crores for National Service Scheme (NSS) during the Fourth Five Year Plan. It was stipulated that the NSS programme should be started as a pilot project in select institutions and universities.
9. On September 24, 1969, the then Union Education Minister Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao, launched the NSS programme in 37 universities covering all States and simultaneously requested the Chief Ministers of States for their cooperation and help. It was appropriate that the programme was started during the Gandhi Centenary Year as it was Gandhi ji who inspired the Indian youth to participate in the movement for Indian independence and the social uplift of the downtrodden masses of our nation.
10. The cardinal principle of the programme is that it is organised by the students themselves and both students and teachers through their combined participation in social service, get a sense of involvement in the tasks of national development. Besides, the students, particularly, obtain work experience which might help them to find avenues of self-employment or employment in any organisation at the end of their university career. The initial financial arrangements provided for an expenditure of Rs. 120/- per NSS student per annum to be shared by the Central and the State Governments in the ratio of 7:5 i.e. the Central Government spending Rs. 70/- and State Governments Rs. 50/- respectively per NSS student per year. An amount of Rs. 120/- per NSS student per annum on programmes to be shared by the Central and State Governments in the ration of 7:5 (i.e. Rs. 70/- per student by the central government and Rs. 50/- per student by the State Governments). Keeping the inflation in view, it is now under consideration to revise the amount for Special Camping and Regular Activities.
11. The scheme now extends to all the states ad universities in the country and covers +2 level also in many states. Students, teachers, guardians, persons in authority in government, universities and colleges/schools and the people in general now realize the need and significance of NSS. It has aroused among the student youth an awareness of the realities of life, a better understanding and appreciation of the problems of the people. NSS is, thus, a concrete attempt in making campus relevant to the needs of the community. There are several instances of excellent work and exemplary conduct of NSS units which have earned them respect and confidence of the people. The special camping programmes organised under the themes of ‘Youth Against Famine (1973)’, ‘Youth Against Dirt & Disease (1974-75)’, ‘Youth for Eco-Development’ and “Youth for Rural Reconstruction’ ‘Youth for National Development and Youth for Literacy (1985-93)’ ‘Youth for National Integration and Communal Harmony (1993-95)’ have resulted in gains both to the community as well as to the students. The theme for the year 1995-96 onwards for Special Camping is Youth for Sustainable Development with focus on Watershed Management and Water land Development’. Themes have been selected in accordance with national priorities. Also, from 1991-92 onwards NSS has launched a nationwide campaign on AIDS Awareness called “Universities Talk AIDS” (UTA) which has earned international attention and appreciation.
12. Community service rendered by university and +2 level students has covered several aspects like adoption of villages for intensive development work, carrying out the medico-social surveys, setting up of medical centres, programmes of mass immunization, sanitation drives, adult education programmes for the weaker sections of the community, blood donation, helping patients in hospitals, helping inmates of orphanages and the physically handicapped etc. NSS volunteers did commendable relief work during natural calamities/emergencies such as cyclones, floods, famine, earthquake, et. From time to time all over the country. The NSS students have also done useful work in organising campaigns for eradication of social evils, and popularization of the nationally accepted objectives like nationalism, democracy, secularism, social harmony and development of scientific temper.

Objectives of NSS

• Understand the community in which they work
• Understand themselves in relation to their community
• Identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in problem-solving
• Develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility
• Utilise their knowledge in finding practical solutions to individual and community problems
• Develop competence required for group-living and sharing of responsibilities
• Gain skills in mobilising community participation
• Acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitudes
• Develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters
• Practise national integration and social harmony

Coverage

Started initially in 37 universities involving 40,000 volunteers, the scheme has grown over the years and it is implemented today with an involvement of more than 2.6 million volunteers spread over in 200 Universities, Polytechnics and +2 Systems. The efforts of NSS volunteers have been widely acclaimed by the community, universities, colleges and general public as the NSS volunteers have been rendering selfless service to the community.

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 stand 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.

Financial Arrangements

The scheme is funded by both Central and State Governments in the ratio of 7:5 to organise Regular Activities (RA) and Special Camping Programmes (SCP). An amount of Rs.160/-per volunteer per annum is released towards Regular Activities (RA) and Rs.300/- per volunteer per Special Camping Programme (SCP) which is of 10-days duration to be organised in the adopted villages/communities. In addition, the Government of India provides 100% financial assistance to run NSS Regional Centres, State Liaison Cells and TOCs/TORCs. The Central Government also provides -100% financial assistance for implementation of NSS Programmes in Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territories without Legislatures.

Admin Structure

The unit at college/+2 level is the grass-root unit in NSS. The organisation keeps contact with the community, administration, student youth and teaching faculty through this unit only. Therefore, the organisation and management of NSS unit are of vital significance.

NSS Unit

1. An institution will be allotted NSS units according to the strength of students. The number of units will be allotted by the Programme Coordinator in consultation with NSS Regional Centre and State Liaison Officer considering the demands of the institution. It is expected that the institution will provide necessary facilities for the successful running of the NSS unit because it is a part of the institution i.e. college or school.
2. 1.1 The strength of a unit will be 100 NSS volunteers normally. The strength of the NSS unit can be extended upto 120 volunteers in exceptional cases where second unit cannot be raised due to constraints. It is always preferable that a separate unit is started instead of enrolling more NSS volunteers.
3. 1.2 In exceptional cases where the total strength of students enrolled is very small, a smaller NSS unit can be started with the strength of 75 NSS volunteers.

1. At college level the NSS volunteers will be enrolled from the first and second year degree-class students. Preference should be given to the students who have worked as NSS volunteers at +2 level also. 2.1 Students belonging to minority communities, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes should be encouraged to participate in NSS. They should be given due representation where more students desire to join NSS.
2. 2.2 In co-educational colleges the girls should be motivated to join NSS.
3. 2.3 The students from foreign countries studying in Indian universities should also be encouraged to join NSS so that they may share the experiences of national reconstruction and community work.
4. 2.4 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. Same restriction will apply to the NSS Programme Officers also.

Admin Structure

The National Service Scheme covers students at the level of higher education. Thus the administrative structures of the higher education have the responsibility of looking after NSS and its implementation at college/school/universities level. The successful functioning of NSS cell at University level will give impetus for proper implementation of NSS in the unit level.

• Every University should have an NSS Cell to supervise and coordinate NSS Programme in Colleges affiliated to it.
• 1.1. The Universities having strength of more than 10000 NSS volunteers should have full time programme coordinators. The Universities having strength of less than 10000 NSS volunteers may have part time programme coordinators.
• 1.2. NSS being an academic extension programme the University will provide necessary infrastructure and other facilities like telephone, office and office equipment and secretarial assistance for the smooth functioning of the cell.
• 1.3. The cell will function under the Vice-Chancellor, the Programme Coordinator, NSS will be incharge of the cell and the main executive functionary.

The Programme Coordinator is the key functionary as far as NSS is concerned. Therefore, a dedicated and devoted Programme Coordinator can plan, execute and evaluate the NSS activities in a proper perspective. The Programme Coordinator will execute all administrative and policy directives of the government, decisions of the State Advisory Committee and University Advisory Committee. The NSS programme will be prepared in the light of the guidelines issued by the Government of India.

The Programme Coordinator will be appointed on deputation/short term contract for the period of three years extendable by one year further. No Programme Coordinator will be appointed on Permanent basis.

• (a)To assist and guide the NSS unit for implementation of NSS programmes at college level.
• (b)To help in organising camps, training and orientation programmes for the NSS leaders.
• (c)To visit the NSS units for monitoring and evaluation.
• (d)To ensure implementation of NSS Regular activities and special camping programmes.
• (e)To ensure timely release of grants to colleges.
• (f)To submit the reports and returns to Programme Adviser, Regional Centre, State Liaison Officer and TOC/TORC.
• (g)To ensure selection of new Programme Officers as per guidelines and ensure their orientation within the stipulated period.
• (h)To submit half yearly reports and other information required to Government of India, Regional Centre and State Liaison Officer on the prescribed proforma.
• (i)To have liaison with Regional Centre and State Liaison Officer and TOC/TORC for the implementation of NSS programme.
• (j)To bring out documents and reports on the achievements of NSS:
• (i)To present the views of the Ministry and if advised bys the State Government, the view of the State Government, in the University Advisory Committees and to the Vice-Chancellors of the Universities, Principals of the Colleges, other persons connected with NSS Programmes.
• (ii)To assist in preparation of NSS Programmes, including Special Camping Programmes, in conformity with the policies and guidelines.
• (iii)To keep the Vice-Chancellors and heads of +2 Councils apprised of the state of the programme in their respective Universities and Colleges/institutions.
• (iv)To take steps to see that funds are released in time by the University to the college.
• (v)To visit different NSS units and camps for supervision, consultancy, guidance etc.
• (vi)The ensure that the NSS programme is implemented as per NSS manual and administrative instructions issued by the Government of India from time to time. Deviation from the established policies may be brought to the notice of the Ministryand the Programme Adviser.

2.3. The cell will function under the Vice-Chancellor, the Programme Coordinator, NSS will be incharge of the cell and the main executive functionary.

Orientation and training of persons attached with NSS being a vital input for sustaining its dynamism in universities, colleges and +2 schools, it is necessary that the various facts of the programme are studied, understood and evaluated. The NSS Regional Centres have to play their role in this sphere mainly:

• To observe the organisation of orientation training, research and evaluation and other activities in these institutions.
• To visit the training programmes whenever possible and advise the TOC/TORCs on policies and guidelines.
• To function as a resource person in the orientation and training programme.
• To help the TOC/TORCs in the evaluation of regular and special camping programme.
• To report the progress of the TOC/TORCs as member of the Training Advisory Committee.

NSS Administration

NSS University

District Coordinators

M. N. Mohite Guruji College Coordinator

NSS Strength

Photo Gallery