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The National Service Scheme (NSS) was launched on 24th September 1969 for undergraduate students, coinciding with the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi. Initially introduced in 37 universities, including Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the program engaged 40,000 students with the primary objective of developing personality through community service. The NSS is a student-led volunteer initiative that seeks to connect academic learning with real-world social challenges.
Historical Background and Evolution
The idea of student involvement in national service dates back to Mahatma Gandhi, who believed that education should not be limited to intellectual pursuits but should prepare students for social responsibility. He urged students to work directly with communities to uplift rural life and promote self-reliance. After India’s independence, the University Grants Commission (UGC), under Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, recommended the introduction of voluntary national service in academic institutions to bridge the gap between students, teachers, and the community. This idea was discussed at the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) meeting in January 1950, where it was proposed that students and teachers participate in voluntary manual work for national development. The First Five-Year Plan (1952) further emphasized the need for social and labor service by Indian students. Subsequently, Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru (1958) suggested social service as a prerequisite for graduation, and in 1959, the National Service Committee under Dr. C.D. Deshmukh was formed to develop a feasible model. Although financial constraints delayed implementation, the concept gained momentum through the Education Commission (1964-66) and the 1967 State Education Ministers’ Conference, which proposed NSS as an alternative to NCC for university students. In May 1969, a conference of university students and education policymakers emphasized the role of national service in fostering national integration. Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao, then Union Education Minister, officially launched the National Service Scheme (NSS) on 24th September 1969 in 37 universities across India.
Objectives of the National Service Scheme (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.
- Practice national integration and social harmony.
NSS Motto:
The motto of National Service Scheme is NOT ME BUT YOU
Benefits of Being an NSS Volunteer:
An NSS volunteer who takes part in the community service programme would have the exposure and experience of the following:
- An accomplished social leader
- An efficient administrator
- A collaborative team player
- A person who understands diversity and human nature and contributes to societal development
The National Service Scheme (NSS) was launched on 24th September 1969 for undergraduate students, coinciding with the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi. Initially introduced in 37 universities, including Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the program engaged 40,000 students with the primary objective of developing personality through community service. The NSS is a student-led volunteer initiative that seeks to connect academic learning with real-world social challenges.
Historical Background and Evolution
The idea of student involvement in national service dates back to Mahatma Gandhi, who believed that education should not be limited to intellectual pursuits but should prepare students for social responsibility. He urged students to work directly with communities to uplift rural life and promote self-reliance. After India’s independence, the University Grants Commission (UGC), under Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, recommended the introduction of voluntary national service in academic institutions to bridge the gap between students, teachers, and the community. This idea was discussed at the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) meeting in January 1950, where it was proposed that students and teachers participate in voluntary manual work for national development. The First Five-Year Plan (1952) further emphasized the need for social and labor service by Indian students. Subsequently, Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru (1958) suggested social service as a prerequisite for graduation, and in 1959, the National Service Committee under Dr. C.D. Deshmukh was formed to develop a feasible model. Although financial constraints delayed implementation, the concept gained momentum through the Education Commission (1964-66) and the 1967 State Education Ministers’ Conference, which proposed NSS as an alternative to NCC for university students. In May 1969, a conference of university students and education policymakers emphasized the role of national service in fostering national integration. Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao, then Union Education Minister, officially launched the National Service Scheme (NSS) on 24th September 1969 in 37 universities across India.
Objectives of the National Service Scheme (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.
- Practice national integration and social harmony.
NSS Motto:
The motto of National Service Scheme is NOT ME BUT YOU
Benefits of Being an NSS Volunteer:
An NSS volunteer who takes part in the community service programme would have the exposure and experience of the following:
- An accomplished social leader
- An efficient administrator
- A collaborative team player
- A person who understands diversity and human nature and contributes to societal development
The National Service Scheme (NSS) was launched on 24th September 1969 for undergraduate students, coinciding with the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi. Initially introduced in 37 universities, including Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the program engaged 40,000 students with the primary objective of developing personality through community service. The NSS is a student-led volunteer initiative that seeks to connect academic learning with real-world social challenges.
Historical Background and Evolution
The idea of student involvement in national service dates back to Mahatma Gandhi, who believed that education should not be limited to intellectual pursuits but should prepare students for social responsibility. He urged students to work directly with communities to uplift rural life and promote self-reliance. After India’s independence, the University Grants Commission (UGC), under Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, recommended the introduction of voluntary national service in academic institutions to bridge the gap between students, teachers, and the community. This idea was discussed at the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) meeting in January 1950, where it was proposed that students and teachers participate in voluntary manual work for national development. The First Five-Year Plan (1952) further emphasized the need for social and labor service by Indian students. Subsequently, Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru (1958) suggested social service as a prerequisite for graduation, and in 1959, the National Service Committee under Dr. C.D. Deshmukh was formed to develop a feasible model. Although financial constraints delayed implementation, the concept gained momentum through the Education Commission (1964-66) and the 1967 State Education Ministers’ Conference, which proposed NSS as an alternative to NCC for university students. In May 1969, a conference of university students and education policymakers emphasized the role of national service in fostering national integration. Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao, then Union Education Minister, officially launched the National Service Scheme (NSS) on 24th September 1969 in 37 universities across India.
Objectives of the National Service Scheme (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.
- Practice national integration and social harmony.
NSS Motto:
The motto of National Service Scheme is NOT ME BUT YOU
Benefits of Being an NSS Volunteer:
An NSS volunteer who takes part in the community service programme would have the exposure and experience of the following:
- An accomplished social leader
- An efficient administrator
- A collaborative team player
- A person who understands diversity and human nature and contributes to societal development
