Lok Sabha Question No. 4658 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-30
Subject: Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Award
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.4658 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2017

Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Award

## 4658.  SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will  the  Minister  of  YOUTH  AFFAIRS  AND  SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  introduced  an  award  namely Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Award;
- (b) if so, the details and the objectives thereof;
- (c) the details of the prize money awarded thereunder; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  representation regarding  the  enhancement  of  the  said  prize  money  and  if  so,  the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a)  to  (c):  Yes  Madam.    The  Government  had  instituted  the  Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards in the year 1993-94 to recognize  and  reward  outstanding  contributions  towards  voluntary community service made by the Universities/ Senior Secondary (+2) Councils, NSS Units/ Programme Officers and NSS Volunteers, with a view  to  further  promote  NSS.  At  present,  the  following  awards  are conferred under Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme(NSS) Awards every year:

|   S. No. | Category                               | No. of Awards   | Value of Award                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------|----------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | University/ +2 Council                 | 02              | First Award : Rs.3,00,000/- (for NSS Programme Development) with a Trophy to the University/ +2 Council. A Certificate and a Silver Medal to the Programme Coordinator. Second Award : Rs.2,00,000 lakh (for NSS Programme Development) with a Trophy to the University/ +2 Council. A Certificate and a Silver Medal to the Programme Coordinator. |
|        2 | NSS Units and their Programme Officers | 10 + 10         | Rs.1,00,000/- to each NSS Unit (For NSS Programme Development), with a Trophy. Rs. 70,000/- to each Programme Officer with a Certificate and a Silver Medal.                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|        3 | NSS Volunteers                         | 30              | Rs. 50,000/- to each Volunteer, with a Certificate and a Silver Medal.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |

The Scheme Guidelines lay down very precise eligibility  conditions and  performance  evaluation  parameters  as  well  as  very  objective multi-stage  selection  process,  involving  Selection  Committees  at School/  Colleges  level,  University/  +2  Council  level,  State  level  and National level. There are multi-level committees to examine and make recommendations for the award. These committees have officials as well as eminent persons as members.

- (d) No, Madam. The Government has not received any representation  regarding  enhancement  of  the  said  prize  money. However, the Government, after taking into consideration all relevant factors, suo moto, increased the prize money from FY 2015-16 onwards as under:

| S. No.   | Category of Award                        | Cash Awards upto 2014-15 (Rs.)   | Cash Awards from 2015-16 onwards (Rs.)   |
|----------|------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| 1.       | NSS Volunteers (30 Awards)               | 15,000                           | 50,000                                   |
| 2.       | NSS Programme Officers (10 Award)        | 20,000                           | 70,000                                   |
| 3.       | NSS Units (10 Awards)                    | 70,000                           | 1,00,000                                 |
| 4.       | Universities/ +2 Councils ---First Award | 2,00,000                         | 3,00,000                                 |
|          | ---Second Award                          | 1,00,000                         | 2,00,000                                 |

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