History of the National Service Scheme
How 'Not Me But You' travelled from a national resolution to classrooms, villages and wards — and to our own two units.
Origins
A Gandhi Jayanti idea that became a programme
The National Service Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme of the Government of India under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. It was launched on 24 September 1969, in the centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi, with a single conviction — that students can learn most by serving the community in which they live. Its motto, “Not Me But You”, and the Konark Wheel emblem have carried that conviction ever since.
Motto
“Not Me But You” — the essence of democratic living and selfless service.
Emblem
The Konark Wheel — continuity, progress and energy-in-motion (red & blue).
Measure
120 hours of regular service each year — plus the seven-day special camp.
Timeline
Milestones
24 Sept 1969
The idea is sanctioned
In the birth-centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi, the National Service Scheme is formally launched by the Union Government to involve students in community service alongside their studies.
1969–1975
37 universities — then the nation
From 37 universities at inception, NSS spreads rapidly. The red-and-blue Konark Wheel becomes its enduring symbol of continuous service.
1970s–1980s
Into schools
The scheme moves beyond colleges into higher secondary schools — younger volunteers begin planting, cleaning, teaching and donating blood.
Every year since
120 hours + one special camp
The discipline hardens: every volunteer gives 120 hours of regular service and lives for seven days in an adopted village or ward for the residential special camp.
Swachh Bharat onward
A very public NSS
NSS units become one of the most visible arms of Swachh Bharat, literacy, health, disaster-relief and integration work — on campuses and far beyond them.
Today
Two units at this school
Our two NSS units continue the lineage — discipline, diary, uniform and service — under their programme officers and student leadership.
At our school today
Two units. A programme officer for each. Captains, vice-captains and secretaries who lead teams across the year — from orientation to camp. See Unit 1, Unit 2 and Leadership. For the full programme year, start at Programme Year and Special Camps.