NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME

History and Growth of NSS:

In India, the idea of involving students in the task of national service dates back to the times of
Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. The central theme which he tried to impress upon his
student audience time and again, was that they should always keep before them, their social
responsibility. 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. Advising them to form a living contact with the community in
whose midst their institution is located, he suggested that instead of undertaking academic
research about economic and social disability, the students should do “something positive so that
the life of the villagers might be raised to a higher material and moral level”.

The post-independence era was marked by an urge for introducing social service for students,
both as a measure of educational reform and as a means to improve the quality of educated
manpower. The University Grants Commission headed by Dr. Radhakrishnan recommended
introduction of national service in the academic institutions on a voluntary basis with a view to
developing healthy contacts between the students and teachers on the one hand and establishing a
constructive linkage between the campus and the community on the other hand. The idea was
again considered by the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) at its meeting held in
January, 1950. After examining the various aspects of the matter and in the light of experience of
other countries in this field, the Board recommended that students should devote some time to
manual work on a voluntary basis and that the teachers should also associate with them in such
work.

In the draft First Five year Plan adopted by the Government of India in 1952, the need for social
and labour service for students for one year was further stressed. Consequent upon this, labour
and social service camps, camp[us work projects, village apprenticeship scheme etc. , were put
into operation by various educational institutions. In 1958, the then Prime Minister Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru in his letter to the Chief Ministers, mooted the idea of having social service as
a prerequisite for graduation. He further directed the Ministry of Education to formulate a
suitable scheme for introduction of national service into the academic institutions. In 1959, a
draft outline of the scheme was placed before the Education Minister’s Conference. The
Conference was unanimous about the urgent need for trying out a workable scheme for national
service. In view of the fact that education as it was imparted in schools and colleges, left
something to be desired and it was necessary to supplement it with programmes which would
arouse interest the social and economic reconstruction of the country. It was viewed that if the
objectives of the scheme were to be realized, it was essential to integrate social service with the
educational process as early as possible.

The Conference suggested the appointment of a committee to work out details of the proposed
pilot project. In pursuance of these recommendations, a National Service Committee was
appointed under the Chairmanship of Dr. C.D. Deshmuklh on August 28, 1959 to make concrete
suggestions in this direction. The committee recommended that national service for a period of
nine months to a year may be made compulsory for all students completing high school
education and intending to enroll themselves in a college or a university. The scheme was to
include some military training, social service, manual labour and general education. The
recommendations of the Committee could not be accepted because of its financial implications
and difficulties in implementation.

In 1960, at the instance of the Government of India, Prof. K.G. Saiyidain studied national service
by students implemented in several countries of the world and submitted his report under the title
“National Service for the Youth” to the Government with a number of recommendations as to
what could be done in India to develop a feasible scheme of social service by students. It was
also recommended that social service camps should be open to students as well as non-students
within the prescribed age group for better inter-relationship. The Education Commission headed
by Dr. D.S. Kothari (1964-66) recommended that students at all stages of education should be
associated with some form of social service. This was taken into account by the State Education
Minister during their conference in April 1967 and they recommended that at the university
stage, students could be permitted to join the National Cadet Corps (NCC) which was already in
existence on a voluntary basis and an alternative to this could be offered to them in the form of a
new programme called the National Service Scheme (NSS).
Promising sportsmen, however, should be exempted from both and allowed to join another
scheme calle4d the National Sports Organisation (NSO), in view of the need to give priority to
the development of sports and athletics. The Vice Chancellors’ Conference in September, 1969
welcomed this recommendation and suggested that a special committee of Vice Chancellors
could be set up to examine this question in detail. In the stateme nt of national policy on
education of the Government of India, it was laid down that work experience and national
service should be an integral part of education. In May, 1969, a conference of the students’
representatives of the universities and institutions of higher learning convened by the Ministry of
Education and the University Grants Commission also unanimously declared that national
service could be a powerful instrument for national integration. It could be used to introduce
urban students to rural life. Projects of permanent value could also be undertaken as a symbol of
the contribution of the student community to the progress and upliftment of the nation. The
details were soon worked out and the Planning Commission sanctioned an outlay of Rs. 5 crores
for National Service Scheme (NSS) during the Fourth Five Year Plan. It was stipulated that the
NSS programme should be started as a pilot project in select institutions and universities.

On September 24, 1969, the then Union Education Minister Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao, launched the
NSS programme in 37 universities covering all States and simultaneously requested the Chief
Ministers of States for their cooperation and help. It was appropriate that the programme was
started during the Gandhi Centenary Year as it was Gandhiji who inspired the Indian youth to
participate in the movement for Indian independence and the social uplift of the downtrodden
masses of our nation. 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 initial financial arrangements provided for an expenditure of Rs. 120/- per NSS
student per annum to be shared by the Central and the State Governments in the ratio of 7:5 i.e.
the Central Government spending Rs. 70/- and State Governments Rs. 50/- respectively per NSS
student per year. An amount of Rs. 120/- per NSS student per annum on programmes to be
shared by the Central and State Governments in the ration of 7:5 (i.e. Rs. 70/- per student by the
central government and Rs. 50/- per student by the State Governments). Keeping the inflation in
view, it is now under consideration to revise the amount for Special Camping and Regular
Activities. The scheme now extends to all the states ad universities in the country and covers +2
level also in many states. Students, teachers, guardians, persons in authority in government,
universities and colleges/schools and the people in general now realize the need and significance
of NSS. It has aroused among the student youth an awareness of the realities of life, a better
understanding and appreciation of the problems of the people.

NSS is, thus, a concrete attempt in making campus relevant to the needs of the community.
There are several instances of excellent work and exemplary conduct of NSS units which have
earned them respect and confidence of the people. The special camping programmes organised
under the themes of ‘Youth Against Famine (1973)’, ‘Youth Against Dirt & Disease (1974-75)’,
‘Youth for EcoDevelopment’ and ‘Youth for Rural Reconstruction’ ‘Youth for National
Development and Youth for Literacy (1985-93)’ ‘Youth for National Integration and Communal
Harmony (1993-95)’ have resulted in gains both to the community as well as to the students. The
theme for the year 1995-96 onwards for Special Camping is Youth for Sustainable Development
with focus on Watershed Management and Water land Development’. Themes have been
selected in accordance with national priorities. Also, from 1991-92 onwards NSS has launched a
nationwide campaign on AIDS Awareness called “Universities Talk AIDS” (UTA) which has
earned international attention and appreciation.

Community service rendered by university and +2 level students has covered several aspects like
adoption of villages for intensive development work, carrying out the medico-social surveys,
setting up of medical centres, programmes of mass immunization, sanitation drives, adult
education programmes for the weaker sections of the community, blood donation, helping
patients in hospitals, helping inmates of orpha nages and the physically handicapped etc. NSS
volunteers did commendable relief work during natural calamities/emergencies such as cyclones,
floods, famine, earthquake, et. From time to time all over the country. The NSS students have
also done useful work in organising campaigns for eradication of social evils, and popularization
of the nationally accepted objectives like nationalism, democracy, secularism, social harmony
and development of scientific temper.
NSS – BASIC CONCEPTS

The overall aim of National Service Scheme as envisaged earlier, is to give an extension
dimension to the higher education system and orient the student youth to community service
while they are studying in educational institution. The reason for the formulation of this
objective is the general realization that the college and +2 level students have a tendency to get
alienated from the village/slum masses which constitute the majority of the population of the
country. The educated youth who are expected to take the reins of administration in future are
found to be unaware of the problems of the village/slum community and in certain cases are
indifferent towards their needs and problems. Therefore it is necessary to arouse the social
conscience of the students, and to provide them an opportunity to work with the people in the
villages and slums. It is felt that their interaction with the common villagers and slum dwellers
will expose them to the realities of life and bring about a change in their social perception.

Objectives:

The broad objectives of NSS are to: (i) understand the community in which they work (ii)
understand themselves in relation to their community; (iii) identify the needs and problems of the
community and involve them in problem solving process; (iv) develop among themselves a sense
of social and civic responsibility; (v) utilize their knowledge in finding practical solution to
individual and community problems; (vi) develop competence required for group living and
sharing of responsibilities; (vii) gain skills in mobilizing community participation; (viii) acquire
leadership qualities and democratic attitude; (ix) develop capacity to meet emergencies and
natural disasters and (x) practice national integration and social harmony. The Motto of NSS The
motto or watchword of the National Service Scheme is : ‘NOT ME BUT YOU’. This reflects the
essence of democratic living and upholds the need for selfless service and appreciation of the
other person’s point of view and also to show consideration for fellow human beings. It
underlines that the welfare of an individual is ultimately dependent on the welfare of society on
the whole. Therefore, it should be the aim of the NSS to demonstrate this motto in its day-to-day
programme.
NSS Symbol

The symbol of the National Service Scheme, as appearing on the cover page of this Manual is
based on the ‘Rath’ wheel of the Konark Sun Temple situated in Orissa. These giant wheels of
the Sun Temple portray the cycle of creation, preservation and release,and signify the movement
in life across time and space. The design of the symbol, a simplified form of the Sun-chariot
wheel primarily depicts movement. The wheel signifies the progressive cycle of life. It stands for
continuity as well as change and implies the continuous striving of NSS for social transformation
and upliftment.

NSS Badge

The NSS symbol is embossed on the NSS badge. The NSS volunteers wear it while undertaking
any programme of community service. The Konark wheel in the symbol has eight bars which
represent the 24 hours of the day. Hence, the badge reminds the wearer to be in readiness for
service of the nation round the clock i.e. for 24 hours. The red colour in the badge indicates that
the NSS volunteers are full of blood i.e. lively, active, energetic and full of high spirit. The navy
blue colour indicates the cosmos of which the NSS is a tiny part, ready to contribute its share for
the welfare of the mankind. NSS Day NSS was formally launched on 24th September, 1969, the
birth centenary year of the Father of the Nation. Therefore, 24 September is celebrated every
year as NSS Day with appropriate programmes and activities.
 Swachh Bharat Mission

Swatchh Bharat Mission (SBM) or Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) or Clean India Mission is a
country-wide campaign initiated by the Government of India in 2014 to eliminate open
defecation and improve solid waste management (SWM). Phase 1 of the mission lasted till
October 2019. Phase 2 will be implemented between 2020-21 and 2024-25.

Initiated by the Government of India, the mission aimed to achieve an "open-defecation free"
(ODF) India by 2 October 2019, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. The
objectives of the first phase of the mission also included eradication of manual scavenging,
generating awareness and bringing about a behavior change regarding sanitation practices, and
augmentation of capacity at the local level. The second phase of the mission aims to sustain the
open defecation free status and improve the management of solid and liquid waste. The mission
is aimed at progressing towards target 6.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals Number
6 established by the United Nations in 2015.

The campaign's official name is in Hindi. In English, it translates to "Clean India Mission". The
campaign was officially launched on 2 October 2014 at Rajghat, New Delhi by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi. It is India's largest cleanliness drive to date with three million
government employees and students from all parts of India participating in 4,043 cities, towns,
and rural communities. At a rally in Champaran, the Prime minister called the
campaign Satyagrah se Swachhagrah in reference to Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha launched
on 10 April 1916.

The mission was split into two: rural and urban. In rural areas "SBM - Gramin" was financed and
monitored through the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation; whereas "SBM - urban" was
overseen by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

As part of the campaign, volunteers, known as Swachhagrahis, or "Ambassadors of cleanliness",

promoted indoor plumbing and community approaches to sanitation (CAS) at the village level.
Other activities included national real-time monitoring and updates from non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) such as The Ugly Indian, Waste Warriors, and SWaCH Pune (Solid Waste
Collection and Handling).
The government provided subsidy for construction of nearly 110 million toilets between 2014
and 2019, although many Indians especially in rural areas choose to not use them. The campaign
was criticized for using coercive approaches to force people to use toilets. Many households
were threatened with a loss of benefits such as access to electricity or food entitlements through
the public distribution system.

Mahatma Gandhi rightly said, “Sanitation is more important than independence”. Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan was launched by the Government of India to solve the problems of sanitation and waste
management in India by ensuring hygiene across the country. The main aim of the project is to
create sanitation facilities for all and provide every rural family with a toilet by 2019.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directly linked clean India with the economic health of the
country. This mission has provided a source of employment to many people, contributed to the
GDP growth, and reduced health costs to an extent.

There is no doubt that cleanliness is interlinked with the country’s tourism and global interests.
More tourism will bring more revenue. It is important for India to display high standards of
hygiene and cleanliness to change the overall global perception people have about our country.

India is home to the world’s second largest population. This mission is the biggest social
initiative taken up by the Government of India to enhance hygiene standards. The movement has
helped in cleaning up the streets, roads, and infrastructure in many cities, small towns, and rural
areas of India. High-levels of advocacy have helped in reducing open defecation and promote
building household owned and community owned toilets. This has risen the hygiene and
sanitation standards in the country.

Even though the scenario has improved but a lot more needs to be done in terms of hygiene and
sanitation. Unsafe drinking water, poor access to appropriate sanitation facilities and inadequate
handwashing is a major reason for childhood illness and death globally. 11% of global child
deaths are caused due to diarrhoea globally even though it is preventable.
This project has sought financial and technical support from the World Bank. Numerous
corporates and private organisations have been asked to join the movement as part of their
corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. Various non-profit organisations have also joined
the movement.

Save the Children is one such organisation that believes in the importance of maintaining sound
community hygiene so that children don’t fall prey to preventable diseases. Therefore, we are
working in several states of India, as part of our Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
programme, to improve the hygiene status of children and their communities.

Objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan set a lot of objectives to achieve so that India could become cleaner and
better. In addition, it not only appealed the sweepers and workers but all the citizens of the country.
This helped in making the message reach wider. It aims to build sanitary facilities for all
households. One of the most common problems in rural areas is that of open defecation. Swachh
Bharat Abhiyan aims to eliminate that.

Moreover, the Indian government intends to offer all the citizens with hand pumps, proper drainage
system, bathing facility and more. This will promote cleanliness amongst citizens.

Similarly, they also wanted to make people aware of health and education through awareness
programs. After that, a major objective was to teach citizens to dispose of waste mindfully.

Why India Needs Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?

India is in dire need of a cleanliness drive like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to eradicate dirtiness. It is
important for the overall development of citizens in terms of health and well-being. As the majority
of the population of India lives in rural areas, it is a big problem.

Generally, in these areas, people do not have proper toilet facilities. They go out in the fields or
roads to excrete. This practice creates a lot of hygiene problems for citizens. Therefore, this Clean
India mission can be of great help in enhancing the living conditions of these people.
In other words, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan will help in proper waste management as well. When we
will dispose of waste properly and recycle waste, it will develop the country. As its main focus is
one rural area, the quality of life of the rural citizens will be enhanced through it.

Most importantly, it enhances the public health through its objectives. India is one of the dirtiest
countries in the world, and this mission can change the scenario. Therefore, India needs a
cleanliness drive like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to achieve this.

In short, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a great start to make India cleaner and greener. If all the citizens
could come together and participate in this drive, India will soon flourish. Moreover, when the
hygienic conditions of India will improve, all of us will benefit equally. India will have more
tourists visiting it every year and will create a happy and clean environment for the citizens.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Action Plan

The action plan for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is to be laid by the Ministry of Drinking Water
and Sanitation. The vision is to triple the facility of sanitation by 2019. The major change to be
implemented is in the Making of an Open Defecation Free(ODF) India.

Action Plan Highlights:

 Improve the growth percentage of toilets from 3% to 10% by 2019

 Increase in the construction of toilets from 14000 to 48000 daily
 Launch of a National Level/State Level Media campaign through audio-visual, mobile
telephony, and local programmes to communicate the message of awareness.
 Involvement of school children in the activities for spreading awareness on Water,
Sanitation, and Hygiene.

Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban)

 Coming to Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), it is under the Ministry of Urban

Development and is commissioned to give sanitation and household toilet facilities in all
4041 statutory towns with a combined population of 377 million.
 The estimated cost is Rs 62,009 crore over five years with the centre’s share of assistance
being Rs 14,623 crore.
  The Mission hopes to cover 1.04 crore households, give 2.5 lakh community toilet seats,
2.6 lakh public toilet seats
 It also proposes to establish solid waste management facilities in every town.
At the core of this mission lie six components:

1. Individual household toilets;

2. Community toilets;
3. Public toilets;
4. Municipal Solid Waste Management;
5. Information and Education Communication (IEC) and Public Awareness;
6. Capacity Building