district. The volunteers are given 15-day induction training at the time of joining and 7-day
      refresher training in the second year of their tenure. Normally, 2 NYC volunteers are deployed in
      every block. They act as an extended arm of NYKS in the block and play an active role in
      implementation of various programmes and initiatives of NYKS.
      National Service Scheme
            National Service Scheme (NSS) was introduced in 1969 with the primary objective of
      developing the personality and character of the youth through voluntary community service.
      Education through Service is the purpose of the NSS. The ideological orientation of the NSS is
      inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. Very appropriately, the motto of NSS is “not me, but
      you”. An NSS volunteer places the ‘community’ before ‘self’. NSS aims at developing the
      following qualities/ competencies among the volunteers: to understand the community in which
      the NSS volunteers work and to understand themselves in relation to their community; to identify
      the needs and problems of the community and involve themselves in problem-solving exercise;
      to develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility; to utilize their knowledge
      in finding practical solutions to individual and community problems; to gain skills in mobilizing
      community participation; and to practise national integration and social harmony.
      Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development
            Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Sriperumbudur, Tamil
      Nadu, is an ‘Institute of National Importance’ under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
      The RGNIYD 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 of Human Resources Development. The Institute 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 of youth development and conducting training/capacity building programmes in youth
      development, besides the extension and outreach initiatives across the country.
      National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development
            National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD) scheme was
      introduced in 2008. Under it, financial assistance is provided to government/non-government
      organisations for taking up youth and adolescent activities. The assistance under NPYAD is
      provided under 5 major components, namely: (a) youth leadership and personality development
      training; (b) promotion of national integration; (c) promotion of adventure; Tenzing Norgay
      National Adventure Awards; (d) development and empowerment of adolescents; (e) technical
      and resource development.
      National Youth Festival
            Under promotion of national integration, of NPYAD, a National Youth Festival is organised
      in January every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (12th
      January), which is celebrated as National Youth Day. The Festival is organised in one of the
      states willing and equipped to host it. The expenditure is shared between the Centre and the host
      state. The programmes organised include various cultural programmes (both competitive and
      non-competitive), youth convention, suvichar, exhibitions, adventure programmes, etc. About
      5,000 youth from various states/ UTs of the country participate in the Festival.