Introduction

National Service Scheme is a student centered programme and it is complementary to education. It is a noble experiment in academic extension. It inculcates the spirit of voluntary work among students and teachers through sustained community interaction. It brings our academic institutions closer to the society. It is a link between the campus and community, the college and village, knowledge and action.  The overall aim of NSS is the Personality Development of students through community service. It gives an extension dimension to Higher Education system and orients the student youth to community service.

The youth in all ages has been in the vanguard of progress and social change, thirst for freedom, impatience for quicker pace of progress and a passion for innovation, coupled with idealism and creative fervour, saw the youth in the forefront of the freedom struggle in our own land. Ever since independence there has been growing awareness of the desirability of involving students in National Service. The first Education Commission (1950) recommended the introduction of national service by students on a voluntary basis, but NSS was officially included in the curriculum for University students, along with National Sports Organization (NSO) and National Cadet Corps (NCC), after the Conference of State Education Ministers in April 1967.

National Service Scheme, popularly known as NSS, was formally launched on 24th September, 1969, the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation. 24th September is celebrated every year as NSS Day nationwide.

The scheme now extends to all the states and universities in the country. Students, teachers, parents, guardians, persons in authority in government, universities and colleges and the people in general now realize the need and significance of NSS. NSS is, thus a concrete attempt in making education relevant to the needs of the society.

Objectives

• 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 process

• Develop among them a sense of social and civic responsibility

• Utilize their knowledge in finding practical solution to individual and community problems

• Develop competence required for group living and sharing of responsibilities

• Gain skills in mobilizing community participation

• Acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude

• Develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters

• Practice national integration and social harmony

NSS Emblem

The symbol of the NSS is based on the ‘Rath’ wheel of the Konark Sun Temple situated in Orissa. These giant wheels of the Sun Temple portray the cycle of creation, preservation and release, and signify the movement in life across time and space. It stands for community as well as change and implies the continuous striving of National Service Scheme for social transformation and upliftment.

NSS Activities

NSS activities have been divided in two major groups. These are Regular NSS Activities and Special Camping programme:

(a)  Regular NSS Activity:

        Under this, students undertake various programmes in the adopted villages, college/school campuses and urban slums during weekends or after college hours.

(b)  Special Camping Programme:

    Under this, camps of 7 days duration are organized in adopted villages or urban slums during vacations with some specific projects by involving local communities. 50% NSS volunteers are expected to participate in these camps.

List of International & National Days/Weeks

DAYS

• National Youth Day - 12th January

• Republic Day - 26th January

• Martyr Day - 30th January

• International Women Day - 8th March

• World Health Day - 7th April

• Anti-Terrorism Day - 21st May

• World No Tobacco Day - 31st May

• World Environment Day - 5th June

• World Population Day - 11th July

• Independence Day - 15th August

• Sadbhavana Day - 20th August

• International Literacy Day - 8th September

• International Peace Day - 15th September

• NSS Day - 24th September

• National Blood Donation Day - 1st October

• Communal Harmony Day - 2nd October

• National Integration Day - 19th November

• World AIDS Day - 1st December

• World Human Rights Day - 10th December

WEEKS

• National Youth Week - 12 to 19 January

• Van Mahotsava Week - 1 to 7 July

• International Literacy Week - 8 to 14 July

• Quami Ekta Week - 19 to 25 November