THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a)&(b): The following incentives have been extended under National Service Scheme (NSS) to the Educational Institutions set up in the country:
The Government confers the Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme (6G MSS) Awards every yeas` to recognise the outstanding contribution in community service rendered by MSS volunteers, Programme Officers, MSS units and the university/+2council. Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme (IG MSS) Awards are given under the following categories:
SI.NO. Category No. of Value of Awards each award University/+2Council 1 Rs. 2,00,000/- 2. Upcoming 1 Rs. 1,00,000/- University 3. Programme Officer 10 Rs. 20,000/- 4. NSS Unit 10 Rs. 70,000/- 5. NSS Volunteer 30 Rs. 15,000/-
Some State Governments and Universities also confer MSS Awards for the outstanding NSS functionaries. These awards include certificates, trophies, medals and cash awards.
Some Universities also provide incentives to the NSS Volunteers in the form of reservation in Post Graduate admissions, grace marks for admissions including admission in B.Ed. Programme to reward their selfless effort and contribution to the community service. Further, the Department has signed an MOU with Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and launched a Pilot Project in 11 Universities to provide skill training to 50,500 NSS Volunteers. So far, 9,872 NSS Volunteers have been enrolled. NSS Volunteers are also sent for international youth exchange programmes.
The Evaluation Study Report conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, has described that National Service Scheme (NSS) has been a well-intentioned and ideologically motivated Scheme. It has very well-structured Project Design, which has evolved through experience of over four decades. The Project Design, including modes of project delivery, are being constantly refined based on experience and feedback from various stakeholders It is further described as one of the greatest experiments in the field of youth work in the world and that it offers a great opportunity to reach out to growing number of young people to build their self-growth and a vision of creating a just and equitable society.
(c) The details of the organizations under Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Department of Youth Affairs working with the objective of encouraging youth in the country are given below:
(i) National Service Scheme (NSS)
The scheme is being implemented with the objective to develop the personality of student youth through community services. The NSS volunteers offer their voluntary services in various development processes & welfare activities initiated by Govt. The NSS volunteers undertake two types of activities viz. Regular Activities and Special Camping Programmes. It was launched in the year 1969 with the ultimate aim of developing the personality of the student volunteers through community service. Currently, NSS has more than 3.3 million volunteers in its fold, covering all the 36 States and Union Territories of the country. It is operational in 336 Universities, 15,908 Colleges/lnstitutions and 11,809 Sr. Sec. Schools and 42(+2)Councils.
Every volunteer, enrolled under NSS, is expected to devote 120 hrs annually for two years towards community service under the regular activities. It includes various activities such as beautification of campuses, awareness campaign, tree plantation, blood donations, awareness about health and sanitation and other social issues etc. Every year 50% of volunteers enrolled in a unit are expected to take part in special camps to be organized in adopted villages/slums and undertake community development programme/creation of durable assets/ awareness campaign etc. Besides, these two main programmes, many national level programmes are also organized to give more exposure to the NSS Volunteers, such as NSS Republic Day Parade Camp, NSS Mega Camps, Adventure Programmes, North East NSS Festivals, Youth Convention and Suvichar at National Youth Festival etc.
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India s the apex body for the monitoring of the programmes /activities of NSS. National Service Scheme (NSS) is the Subordinate office under Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Department Of Youth Affairs having 15 NSS Regional Centres across the country and a Programme Adviser’s Cell located at New Delhi. These offices coordinates with the State Governments through concerned State Liaison Officers for implementation of NSS activities/Programme in Universities/Educational Institutions.
(ii) National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD)
National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD) is an “Umbrella Scheme” of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports under which financial assistance is provided to Government/ non-Government organizations for taking up activities for youth and adolescent development. The Scheme is operational since 1st April, 2008. The assistance under NPYAD is provided under 5 major components, namely,
a) Youth Leadership and Personality Development Training
b) Promotion of National Integration (National Integration Camps, Inter-State Youth Exchange Programmes, Youth Festivals, multi¬cultural activities, etc.)
c) Promotion of Adventure; Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards
d) Development and Empowerment of Adolescents (Life Skills Education, Counselling, Career Guidance, etc.)
e) Technical and Resource Development (Research and Studies on Youth issues, Documentation, Seminars/ Workshops)
The Scheme beneficiaries are Youth in the age group of 15-29 years and Adolescents in the age group of 10-19 years. The financial norms for assistance are laid down in the Scheme for each type of activity under the Scheme. The assistance is sanctioned on the basis of recommendation of the Project Appraisal Committee (PAC), headed by Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs.
In addition to the above, the details of the organizations working with the objective of encouraging youth in the country which were provided Grant-in-Aid during the year 2014-15 are given in Annexure-I.
(iii) Rajiv Gandhi National institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD)
Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, is an ‘Institution of National Importance’ under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports by virtue of enactment of RGNIYD Act-2012. The RGN8YO was set up in 1993 as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1975 and was conferred the status of ‘Deemed to be University’ under ‘De-Novo’ category in 2008, by the Ministry off Human Resources Development.
RGNIYD functions as a vital resource centre with its multi-faceted functions of offering academic programmes at Post Graduate level encompassing various dimensions’ of youth development, engaging in seminal research in the vital areas off youth development and coordinating Training Programmes ffor State Agencies and officials youth organisations.
This Institution functions as a think-tank off the Ministry and premier organisation off youth related activities in the country. As the Apex Institution at the National level, it works in close cooperation with the NSS,NYKS and other youth organisation in the implementation of training programmes. The Institution is a nodal agency ffor training youth as a facilitators off youth development activities in rural, urban as also tribal areas. It has a wide network with various organisations working for the welfare and development of young people and serves as a mentor.
Hon’ble President of India is the Visitor off the Institution. The multifarious activities off the Institution are monitored by the Executive Council, Academic Council, Finance Committee and the Building Works Committee. The Director is the Chief Executive Officer, who coordinates the day to day functioning of the Institution and implements the youth development programmes through various Divisions/Centres/Departments of the Institution.
(iv) Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan
Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), launched in 1972, is one off the largest youth organizations in the world. NYKS currently has about 8.36 million youth enrolled through 2.95 lakh youth clubs/ mahila mandals. NYKS has presence in 623 Districts through Nehru Yuva Kendras (NYKs). The objective of the Programme is to develop the personality and leadership qualities off the youth and to engage them in nation- building activities.
The areas of focus off the NYKS activities include literacy and education, health and family welfare, sanitation and cleanliness, environment conservation, awareness on social issues, women empowerment, rural development, skill development and self- employment, entrepreneurship development, civic education, disaster relief and rehabilitation, etc. The youth associated with Nehru Yuva Kendras are not only socially aware and motivated but are also inclined towards social development work through voluntary efforts.
The Programmes/ activities carried out can be broadly classified in the following categories, namely,
a) Core Programmes implemented by NYKS, with its own budgetary resources (Block Grants released by the Department of Youth Affairs).
b) Programmes organized with funding from NPYAD (National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development).
c) Programmes organized in collaboration with/ funding from other Ministries/ Organizations.
d) Programmes/ Activities in coordination with various Development Departments/ Agencies.
All the Programmes of NYKS are implemented in close coordination with/ active involvement of State Governments, elected local bodies and various Development Departments/ Agencies
NYKS, an autonomous organization under the Department, is a Society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. NYKS has a General Body and a Board of Governors (BoG). The Board of Governors is chaired by the Minister in-charge of Youth Affairs and Sports, with the Director General, NYKS acting as the Member-Secretary. The Board of Governors has official as well as non-officials members from relevant fields. The Director General, NYKS acts as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Organization.
The activities of NYKS are carried out through a District Youth Coordinator in each District (who is in-charge of the Nehru Yuva Kendra in the District) and 2 National Youth Corps (NYC) volunteers in each BBock. Bn addition, MYKS has 29 Zonal Offices at State Level besides its National Headquarter at Mew Delhi.
(d) The details of number of appointments made in the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan since its inception are given at Annexure-BI. A uniform criteria was adopted for appointment across all the States/UTs as given at Annexure-lll.
