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.