The National Service Scheme (NSS) is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. It offers students in the 11th and 12th grades, as well as those in technical institutions, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs across Indian schools, colleges, and universities, the chance to participate in various community service activities and programs initiated by the government. The primary goal of NSS is to give young students practical experience in community service. Since its launch in 1969, NSS has grown from 40,000 to over 3.8 million student volunteers by March 2018, actively participating in diverse service initiatives through universities, colleges, and other higher education institutions across India.

Objectives:

The primary objectives of NSS are to:

• Gain an understanding of the community they serve;
• Develop self-awareness in relation to their role within the community;
• Identify community needs and problems, actively engaging in solutions;
• Foster a sense of social and civic responsibility;
• Apply their knowledge to address individual and community challenges effectively;
• Build skills for group living and sharing responsibilities;
• Learn techniques to mobilize community involvement;
• Cultivate leadership qualities and a democratic outlook;
• Strengthen their ability to respond to emergencies and natural disasters;
• Promote national integration and social harmony.

The motto:

The motto of the National Service Scheme, ‘NOT ME BUT YOU’, embodies the spirit of democratic living and emphasizes the importance of selfless service, respect for others' perspectives, and empathy toward fellow human beings. It highlights the principle that an individual's well-being is closely tied to the welfare of society as a whole. Thus, NSS aims to put this motto into practice in its daily activities and programs.

NSS symbol

NSS Day

NSS was officially launched on 24th September 1969, marking the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation. Since then, 24th September is celebrated annually as NSS Day, featuring various programs and activities to commemorate the occasion.

NSS -VMRFDU

Since 2004, VINAYAKA MISSIONS RESEARCH FOUNDATION (Deemed to be University) has incorporated NSS into its programs. With a strong tradition of community service and outreach, the Foundation has demonstrated the vision and dedication to lead this noble initiative.

Aspects of NSS Programme

The NSS programs are conducted under both regular and special camping formats, covering four key areas:

• Institutional Work:Students may be assigned to various welfare agencies outside the campus to volunteer their services.
• Institutional Projects: These include campus improvements, construction of sports fields and other infrastructure developments.
• Rural Projects:Activities aimed at eradicating illiteracy, improving minor irrigation, supporting agricultural work, promoting health and hygiene, sanitation, and developing rural roads.
• Urban Projects: Focus on adult education, the welfare of slum dwellers, civil Défense training, setting up first aid posts, and hospital-related work.

About NSS Cell-VMRFDU

Since 2004, the NSS Cell at VINAYAKA MISSIONS RESEARCH FOUNDATION (Deemed to be University) has organized various programs aimed at shaping the personalities of student volunteers and fostering their sense of responsibility toward rural development. A distinctive feature of NSS at the university is that the majority of undergraduate students are NSS volunteers. The NSS Cell consists of 29 units, coordinated by a Programme Coordinator and supported by 29 Programme Officers. Over the years, NSS has grown stronger, and currently, there are 29 units with 2,900 volunteers. NSS has evolved into a significant student initiative, successfully implementing numerous innovative and community-based programs.

Kinds of programmes:

There are two types of NSS programs:

• Regular NSS Programs:Students engage in various activities in adopted villages, campuses, and urban slums during weekends.
• Special Programs: These include special activities and a 7-day camp held in adopted villages or urban slums on a theme provided by the NSS Regional Centre, involving local communities.

The university also runs a yoga center where NSS volunteers are taught yoga to promote both physical and mental health. Yoga helps discipline the mind and enhances concentration. Each NSS volunteer is required to complete 120 hours of regular and special activities annually, totalling 240 hours over two years.

Regular Activities

As part of the NSS Regular activities, the following initiatives are planned and executed in the villages:

• Students engage in various activities in adopted villages, campuses, and urban slums during weekends.
• Providing safe drinking water
• Preparing teaching aids, charts, play materials, and models for schools
• Promoting proper eating habits, behavioural improvement, health and nutrition education, sanitation, and ensuring physical exercise for school children
• Conducting socio-economic surveys
• Tree planting
• Organizing blood donation camps
• Social media awareness campaigns
• Promoting environmental cleanliness, constructing toilets, whitewashing schools, and painting blackboards
• Organizing immunization camps
• Offering yoga and meditation sessions for children
• Conducting child labour surveys
• Running Fit India and Freedom Awareness programs on nutritious food
• Organizing rallies on HIV/AIDS, blood donation, and environmental cleanliness
• Celebrating Gandhi Jayanti
• Exhibiting "Healthy Youth for Healthy India"
• Observing NSS Day
• Organizing rallies on avoiding plastics and maintaining clean surroundings
• Eye screening camps
• Celebrating NSS Unity Day
• Promoting freedom fighters' slogans and posters
• Hosting webinars

About NSS Cell-VMRFDU

Since 2004, the NSS Cell at VINAYAKA MISSIONS RESEARCH FOUNDATION (Deemed to be University) has organized

Special Camping

Special camping is a key component of the National Service Scheme, offering unique opportunities for students to experience group living, share collective experiences, and engage with the community. These camps, lasting 7 days, are organized in adopted villages with specific themes and the involvement of local communities.

Special Activities

(Two activities per semester, each lasting 3 hours) are conducted based on community needs. These include blood donation drives, as well as rallies and awareness campaigns on topics like literacy, vigilance awareness, rainwater harvesting, cleanliness, solid waste management, pulse polio immunization, and other social issues.

To ensure the successful execution of NSS Regular and Special Camping programs, support is sought from local Youth Clubs, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Gram Panchayats, District Administration, Rotary Clubs, leading NGOs, Tamil Nadu State NSS Cell, NSS Regional Office, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, and the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society.

UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION & NSS-VMRFDU

As per the instructions from the University Grants Commission (UGC), all social-related programs organized and associated with the NSS Cell, such as Viksit Bharat@2047 - Voice of Youth, Special Campaign 4.0 for Swachhata Programme, National Space Day, and the Observance of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, are being carried out in alignment with the UGC's directives. These programs are designed to engage students in social awareness, community service, and national initiatives that contribute to building a better and more responsible society.

AISHE & NSS-VMRFDU

As per the directives from AISHE, all social-related programs organized by the NSS Cell are designed to enhance the personalities of student volunteers and cultivate a sense of responsibility towards rural development. These initiatives aim to equip students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and values to actively contribute to the growth and welfare of rural communities.