NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR YOUTH AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT (NPYAD)
The scheme NPYAD has been formulated by merger of four 100% Central sector Grants-in-aid schemes of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports viz:
- Promotion of Youth Activities & Training,
- Promotion of National Integration,
- Promotion of Adventure and Development
- Empowerment of Adolescents
with a view to reduce the multiplicity of schemes with similar objectives, ensuring uniformity in funding pattern and implementation mechanism, avoiding delays in availability of funds to the field level and institutionalizing participation of State Governments in project formulation and its implementation.
Under the scheme of National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD) financial assistance is given for youth activities under its five programme areas namely,
- Youth Leadership and Personality Development,
- Promotion of National Integration,
- Promotion of Adventure,
- Development and Empowerment of Adolescent
- Technical and Resource Development
The objectives of this programme is to provide opportunity for holistic development of youth including adolescents for realization of their fullest potential, to develop leadership qualities and personality development and to engage and channelise their energy in a positive manner towards socio-economic development and growth of the nation.
NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME (NSS)
- National Service Scheme (NSS) is a centrally sponsored scheme with the objective to develop character and personality of youth in schools and colleges.
- National Service Scheme was launched during the birth centenary celebration of Mahatma Gandhi in 1969 in 37 Universities involving 40,000 students.
- Today, NSS has more than 2 million student volunteers on its roll, spread over 299 Universities.
- At present, the women volunteers make 30% of the total strength. Efforts are on to increase the strength of women volunteers.
- The scheme is implemented through the State Governments and the operations of NSS are at the University/College and Higher Secondary School level.
- The objective of NSS is to arouse social conscience of the students, and to provide them an opportunity to work with the people in the Villages and slum dwellers.
- The motto of the NSS “Not me but you” seeks to imbibe a spirit of volunteerism and community service in the minds of young students.
- The basic unit of NSS consists of 50 to 100 volunteers at School/College level headed by a Programme Coordinator (Usually a Lecturer).
- The existing funding pattern of the NSS for States is 7:5 between the Centre and the States.
- NSS volunteers participate in the Republic Day Parade on Rajpath every year.