On October 6, 2025, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, presented the My Bharat – National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards for the year 2022‑23 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This ceremony honoured students, programme officers, and institutions for their exceptional contributions in voluntary service and nation‑building.
Background of NSS & the “My Bharat” Award
Origins and Purpose of NSS
- The National Service Scheme (NSS) was launched in 1969, during Mahatma Gandhi’s birth centenary, to encourage youth participation in community service and personality building.
- Its motto is “Not Me, But You” (in Hindi: स्वयं से पहले आप), reflecting selfless service orientation.
- NSS operates across schools, colleges, and universities. Each unit typically adopts a village or slum area and carries out regular activities (120 hours/year) and a 7‑day special camp during its two‑year cycle.
My Bharat – NSS Awards
- The My Bharat – NSS Award was instituted in 1993‑94 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
- Its objective is to recognise outstanding contributions by NSS volunteers, programme officers, units, and universities in the domain of social service and community development.
- Awards are conferred annually and cover multiple categories: volunteers, programme officers, NSS units, and institutions/universities.
Highlights of the 2022–23 Award Ceremony
- The President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, personally presented the awards at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- While the official press release (as of now) does not yet list all names of awardees for 2022‑23, it continues the tradition of honouring exemplary youth service.
- One confirmed awardee is Mr. Sagar Roy, an NSS volunteer from DAV College, Chandigarh, who was conferred the National NSS award for 2022‑23.
Eligibility & Selection Criteria
- NSS Award guidelines stipulate that a volunteer should not exceed 25 years of age (28 years for SC/ST) as of the closing date of the financial year under consideration.
- Nomination is made in multiple stages: institution → state/UT level → national level.
- The evaluation is based on consistency of work, impact in community service, innovation, and commitment to NSS ideals.
Static Facts
- NSS Launched: 1969 (Mahatma Gandhi’s birth centenary)
- Motto: “Not Me, But You”
- Administered by: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
- Awards Introduced: 1993–94
- Minimum Service Required: 240 hours over 2 years
- Eligibility Age: Up to 25 years (28 for SC/ST)