The National Service Scheme (NSS) was initiated in 1969 by the Government of India through the Ministry of Education and Culture, in collaboration with State Governments, across 37 selected universities. Our University has been actively associated with the NSS since its inception. At present, the scheme is administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports at the Central Government level and by the Department of Higher and Technical Education at the State Government level.

Motto of NSS

The motto of the National Service Scheme is "Not Me But You." It signifies the spirit of democratic living and emphasizes selfless service, cooperation, and respect for others' perspectives.

NSS Day

The NSS was formally launched on 24 September 1969, coinciding with the birth centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. Consequently, 24 September is observed annually as NSS Day.

Components of NSS

The NSS is built on three fundamental components:

• NSS Programme Officer: A member of the teaching faculty who provides guidance and leadership to NSS volunteers.
• NSS Volunteer: A student enrolled at the school, college, or university level.
• Community: The people who offer NSS volunteers firsthand exposure to the living conditions and challenges faced by society.

Classification of NSS Activities

NSS activities are categorized into two main types:

• Regular NSS Activities: These include various programmes conducted in adopted villages, educational institutions, and urban slums during weekends or after academic hours. Volunteers are required to complete 120 hours of service under this category.
• Special Camping Programme: These are seven-day residential camps organized during vacations in adopted villages or urban slums, focusing on specific projects with active community participation. Participation of 50% of NSS volunteers is expected.

Terms of NSS

Under the NSS programme, any student enrolled in a school, college, or university who opts for and is selected as an NSS volunteer must continue in the scheme for two years. The volunteer is required to complete a minimum of 120 hours of service per year and participate in at least one seven-day Special Camping Programme. The Special Camping Programme is treated as a separate project, and the hours spent on it are recorded independently and not counted towards the 120 hours of regular NSS activities.