thumb|The National Service Scheme (NSS) Marching Contingen
The National Service Scheme (NSS) is an Indian government sector public service program conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India aimed at developing the personality and civic responsibility of student volunteers through community service. With the motto "Not Me But You," it engages millions of students in higher education institutions and senior secondary schools across the country in regular and special camping activities focused on education, health, environment, disaster relief, and social welfare. Launched as a pilot in 1969 across 37 universities with 40,000 volunteers, NSS has grown to encompass over 39,000 units and approximately 3.6 to 4.3 million active volunteers in recent years, with more than 47.8 million students having participated since inception.
History
Mahatma Gandhi emphasized students' social responsibility alongside their education. Equally, the post-independence era of India urged an introduction for social service by students.
In April 1967, a conference of state education ministers suggested students could choose between the National Cadet Corps (NCC), a new National Service Scheme (NSS), and athletes could join the National Sports Organisation (NSO).
The inaugural NSS Republic Day Camp launched in 1988. Select volunteers attend the Republic Day Parade annually. The NSS is focused on developing students' character and personality through community service. Starting the 2016-2017 fiscal year, the NSS became a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) with 100% funding from the Government of India under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.