The National Service Scheme (NSS) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. It provides an opportunity for the students to participate in various Government-led community service activities & programmes. NSS helps promote discipline, leadership, national integration, religious harmony, work culture, respect for labour and Gandhian principles, and channelise the youth's energy and enthusiasm in productive endeavours. The sole aim of the NSS is to provide hands-on experience to young students in delivering community service. The programme aims to instil the idea of social welfare in students and provide service to society without bias. NSS volunteers work to ensure that everyone who is needy gets help to enhance their standard of living and lead a life of dignity.

The main objectives of the National Service Scheme (NSS) are:

• To understand the community in which they work.
• To understand themselves in relation to their community.
• To identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in problem-solving.
• 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 create the competence required for group living and sharing of responsibilities.
• To gain skills in mobilizing community participation.
• To acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitudes.
• To develop the capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters and
• To practice national integration and social harmony.

The NSS unit of Carmel College is a group of enthusiastic and service-minded young students who render selfless service to the College and society. There are fifty NSS volunteers in our unit, led by Volunteer Secretary Mr Roshan Babu and mentored by programme officer Mr Vishnu T S. Our NSS unit has been conducting many socially and academically relevant programmes over the years. It helps the student's development & appreciation to other person's point of view and shows consideration towards other living beings.  The welfare of an individual is ultimately dependent on the welfare of the society as a whole. Therefore, our NSS volunteers shall strive for the well-being of the community. Those who successfully complete the training under the scheme will be awarded certificates and are eligible for grace marks for higher studies.

The NSS volunteers are encouraged to donate blood to the needy ones. All the important days are observed by conducting relevant programmes, which reflect the spirit of the occasions. The programmes include webinars, online competitions and the offering of different types of services. World Environment Day, Women's day, Yoga day, Hiroshima Remembrance day etc., were observed by the volunteers. One of the notable programmes organized by the NSS unit was a webinar series titled, Yogamrith, as part of the observation of International Yoga day. In addition, the services provided by the NSS volunteers in the election centres and Covid-19 call centres are worthy of appreciation.

Coordinator:

• Mr. Vishnu TS