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