Manonmaniam Sundaranar University has been continuously in NSS since its inception with the major aim of providing opportunities to the students to involve themselves in social activities and ultimately developing their personality. 206 Aided NSS units and 37 Self Financing NSS units in 92 Colleges affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University and 3 NSS units in University Departments are involved in NSS and carried out various programmes. 10 new Self Financing NSS units are sanctioned from 2022 – 23 onwards. The NSS cell in the university coordinates the NSS units in the affiliated colleges and University Departments.
National Service Scheme was launched on 24th September, 1969, by the then Union Education Minister, Dr. V. K. R. V. Rao in 37 Universities covering all states on the Mahatma Gandhiji’s Birth Centenary year, 1969. The aim of National Service Scheme is “Development of the Personality of students through Community Service”. The overall aim of National Service scheme 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 National Service Scheme was started to establish a meaningful linkage between the campus and the community
National Service Scheme is a youth programme under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The scheme is funded by Government of India and Government of Tamilnadu in the ratio 7:5
The motto or watchword of the National Service Scheme is “NOT ME BUT YOU”. It reflects the essence of democratic living and upholds the need for selfless service and appreciation of other persons’ 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 the society on the whole. Therefore, it should be the aim of the N.S.S to demonstrate this motto in its day-to-day programme.
The symbol of the National service Scheme is based on the “RATH” wheel of the Sun Temple situated in Konark, Odissa.
NSS programme should provide a variety of learning experiences which must develop a sense of participation, service and achievement among the volunteers. The activities should aim at the following:
While undertaking these activities, each NSS unit should envisage its programme/activities aimed at installing discipline, building character, promotion of physical fitness, and development of culture.
The Programme Officer is expected to motivate student youth to understand the values and philosophy of N.S.S. The overall functions of programme officer is to help the students to plan, implement, and evaluate the activities of NSS under his/her charge and give proper guidance and directions to the student volunteers. To discharge his/her obligations under NSS programme, the programme officer plays the role of an organizer, an educator, a coordinator, a supervisor, an administrator, and a public relation officer to improve the quality and magnitude of NSS programme in his/her institution.
The selection of the programme officer will be made by the principal of the institution in consultation with the programme coordinator of the University.
The maximum period for which a teacher is appointed as programme officer will be 3 years in the first instance. However, this period is extendable for two more years, on the basis of the review of his/her performance by the principal and programme coordinator.
The programme officer will be sent for orientation course within 3 months of his/her selection. The programme officer must undergo the orientation training within one year from of the date of appointment as programme officer, when there is no orientation course conducted in the stipulated period of 3 months.
The principal of the institution will intimate to the programme coordinator, NSS Regional Centre and TORC/TOC concerned regarding the selection of the programme officer. The principal will also ensure that the programme officer is attending the orientation training organized by TORC/TOC. It is the obligation of the head of the institution to relieve the programme officer for this purpose.
If the selected programme officer does not undergo the orientation training for any reason within one year from the date of his/her selection, he/she will cease to function as programme officers and another person will be selected and given training in time. No programme officer without orientation will continue to work as programme officers if he/she is not trained within the stipulated period.
At college level the NSS volunteers will be enrolled from the 1st year degree-class students. Preference should be given to the students who have worked as NSS volunteers at +2 level.
NCC cadets will not be allowed to join NSS. Similarly NSS volunteers will not participate in NCC or any other youth organization, except RRC, as long as they are in NSS. Same restriction will apply to the NSS Programme Officers.
The NSS programme is financed by the public funds. Therefore, the institution should maintain the financial records and registers as required under financial rules and these have to be kept open for inspection and audit.
The records and registers should be properly handed over by outgoing programme officer to the newly appointed programme officers.
The following records and registers are to be maintained in the NSS units at College level.
A register with complete particulars and profile of the students enrolled in NSS should be maintained, unit wise. This register should have information about the names, sex, SC/ST, and class of NSS students, their interests, and experience in NSS and other service activities.
This register is to be maintained by the programme officer with the help of students. It should provide a list of the projects undertaken during the year with complete information on each project, viz; places/areas/institution, target groups, number of students (also names) involved in the particular activity and financial allotment.
A stock-register, listing separately, the consumable and non-consumable items, should be maintained. In addition, an issue/lending register must be maintained for purpose of verification and periodic stock-checking. The entries in stock-register will be initialed or countersigned by the Head of the institution.
Attendance of student volunteers at the various sessions/camps of NSS must be recorded and their signatures must also be obtained.
The Programme Officer should record the minutes of meetings of the advisory committee and other meetings held periodically. This would help him/her in taking suitable follow-up action.
Maintaining a personal work-dairy will be useful for the programme officer wherein he/she notes the project details, difficulties encountered in the project, the number of hours spent for NSS and future plans of action.
While the college office is responsible for separately maintaining accounts for NSS ensuring their audit, the programme officer concerned, should keep himself/herself informed of the progress of the expenditure and be aware of the accounting procedure adopted by the institution office. He/she would ensure submission of expenditure statement and utilization certification to the university/state government in time. Colleges having more than one NSS unit may select one of the programme officers to look after the accounts, records, reports and returns etc., The accounts regarding the receipt of NSS grants and their utilization will be maintained as per financial norms. These accounts will be open for inspection to audit parties, officers of NSS organization State Liaison Officer and Programme Coordinator also. NSS accounts will be maintained separately. These will not be integrated with other accounts of the institution. The programme officers will send the periodical reports to the NSS programme coordinator on the prescribed proforma. The copies of such reports will be endorsed to NSS Regional Centre and State Liaison Officer. Report of special camping projects undertaken by the NSS units may also be sent to the programme coordinator, under intimation - to NSS Regional Centre, State Liaison Officer for information and projection at an appropriate level.
Colleges have to set up an NSS Advisory Committee to advise on programme/planning and development under the chairmanship of the principal. It will review NSS activities at college level.
Principal - Chairperson
2 staff members having social work background - Members (May be Programme officers of other NSS units of the College)
One representative of the development Department - Member
One representative from the adopted Village/slum/welfare agency – Member
2 NSS student leaders – Members
Programme Officer, NSS – Member Secretary
College Advisory Committee should meet at least four times during a year. The aim of holding periodical meetings is to assess the development of NSS programme in the institution and promote a sense of participation among the members of the staff, public and students for community work.
NSS activities have been divided in to two major groups, namely Regular activities and Special camping programme.
Under this, students undertake various programmes in the adopted villages, college campuses and urban slums during week ends or after college hours. Duration of these services is 120 hours per year.
To get the NSS volunteers acquainted with the basis of NSS programme, 20 hours are allocated for their orientation through lectures, discussions, field visits and audiovisuals etc.
The NSS volunteers may be involved in the activities for the benefit of the institution and students concerned. Such projects cover the development of playgrounds, making of gardens, tree plantation in the premises, awareness programmes on drug abuse, AIDS, population education and other projects.
Following are the list of programme that can be carried out as regular activities besides orienting the volunteers and observing important dates.
Under this, camps of 7days duration are organized in adopted villages or urban slums with some specific projects by involving local communities. 50 percent NSS volunteers (50 volunteers) are expected to participate in these camps.
a. Send the special Camp proposal before one month and get approval or fund from the University
b. As per the direction of director of Collegiate Education and State Coordinator all the NSS units should organize Special camp every year compulsory and also organize the camp on or before the month of February.
c. Total Strength 50 (45 Student Volunteers+5Non-Volunteers)
d. Send the list of participants to the Coordinator’s office with the Invitation.
e. Maintain the following special camp records:
f. Send the Invitation to the following address 7 days before the commencement of the camp.
g. Submit audit report and utilization certificate within a period of one month after completion of the special camp.
NSS volunteer, who has completed 240 hours of regular activities in the period of 2 years and attended one annual special camp, will be issued an NSS certificate by the university. A volunteer who does not fulfil the above conditions has to miss the university certificate. College authorities may issue a certificate to the NSS volunteer.
