The foundation of National Service Scheme (NSS) as an organized platform for student and teacher community of the country lies in the Gandhian Philosophy of social responsibility of community service.The University Education Commission of 1948 headed by Dr Radakrishnan recommended inclusion of social service in academic institutions on a voluntary basis aimed at developing a strong interface between student community and broader society. On the directions of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the then Ministry of Education formulated a scheme for introduction of national service into the academic institutions in 1958. The union government appointed Professor Khwaja Ghulam Saiyidian to frame a policy framework in this regard who came up with the document entitled “National Service for the Youth” with a number of recommendations for developing an achievable scheme of social service by students. The Kothari commission of 1964-66 also recommended that students at all stages of education should be associated with some form of social service. The conference of state education ministers in 1967 recommended the formation of National Service Scheme at par with already existing National Cadet Corps (NCC).  A conference of student representatives in May 1969 and the Vice Chancellors’ Conference in September, 1969 welcomed this recommendation and finally the NSS was launched on September 24, 1969, by the then Union Education Minister Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao in 37 universities covering all States, with a plan outlay of Rs 5 crore in the fourth five-year plan. 

The wider objectives of NSS include developing a sense of social and civic responsibility, understanding of the communities as well understanding ourselves in relation to these communities, identifying needs and problems of the communities and getting involved in problem solving processes, developing competencies and skills required for group living, sharing of responsibilities and mobilization of community participation;acquiring leadership qualities and democratic attitude;developing capacities to meet emergencies and natural disasters and practice national integration and social harmony. With these underlying objectives, the scope of NSS includes practically everything and anything of community significance.

Whether it’s Blood donation, Swachhata, Relief during natural calamities and disasters, Rehabilitation of underprivileged and less fortunate lot of society, Traffic and road safety awareness or a major challenge like Covid pandemic, the NSS family is ever ready at the beck and call of the community.

The Motto of National Service Scheme ‘NOT ME BUT YOU'  reflects the essence of democratic living and upholds the need for selfless service and appreciation of the other man's point of view and consideration for fellow human beings before one's own.



Vision

  • 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 and
  • Practise national integration and social harmony