Youth Programme like National Service Scheme requires administrative structures at various levels for its successful planning and implementation. Therefore, organizational structures have been envisaged at Central, State, University/+2 and College levels. It is vital for the programme to get support at all the levels and to make sure that the programmes and activities get the required attention : National Level

Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, New Delhi and NSS Regional Centres

(a) The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports in the Ministry of Human Resource Development is the nodal department for NSS and has been given the administrative responsibility for the Policy Planning, Implementation and Evaluation of NSS programme.

(b) National Service Scheme falls under the jurisdiction of Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, which is looked after by the Senior Officer of the rank of the Joint Secretary as far as administration and implementation of the programme is concerned.

Programme Adviser

In the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports a Senior Officer is designated as Programme Adviser. The functions of the Programme Adviser and head of NSS organisation are as under :-
(a) To advise the Department for the development of NSS Programme in all respects.
(b) To help the Department to plan and implement the NSS programmes :
(c) To liaise with the State Governments, Universities and with other organisations which may help in the growth and development of the programme directly or indirectly;
(d) To make the arrangements of training of key persons and Programme Officers through the TOCs and TORCs.
(e) To make arrangements for the evaluation of NSS from time to time by the TORCs or other suitable agencies;
(f) To encourage Research and Publication work in connection with NSS;
(g) To oversee the maintenance of State-wise, University-wise record on implementation of the Programme.
(h) To supervise the functioning of NSS Regional Centre (RCs) set up by the Department in the various regions/States in the country.

Programme Adviser’s Cell
The Department has set up Programme Adviser’s Cell to assist the Programme Adviser for implementing, monitoring and evaluating the NSS Programme at various levels. The Programme Adviser’s Cell is headed by a Deputy Programme Adviser and a core support staff. The cell also functions as programme monitoring centre for the collection and compilation of data from the states, Universities and NSS Regional Centres and provides this information to the Department as feedback. Thus the PA Cell for all practical purpose functions as the NSS Headquarter.

NSS Regional Centres.

(a) The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports has set up 15 NSS Regional Centes in the country to maintain liaiso0n with the State Governments, Universities, +2 Councils and TOC/TORCs for the effective implementation of NSS Programme. The list of NSS Regional Centres is given at Annexure – II.
(b) NSS Regional Centre (RC) which is a subordinate field office of the Department of Youth Affairs & Sports and depending upon the volunteers strength and size of the state, RC is either headed by a Deputy Programme Adviser or an Assistant Programme Adviser. The Deputy Programme Adviser/Assistant Programme Adviser belong to Group-A grade of the Central Government Service.
(c) Deputy Programme Adviser/Assistant Programme Adviser who head the Regional Centre are given a core staff for his/her support.

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE AT STATE LEVEL

Since National Service Scheme is jointly sponsored by the Government of India and the State Government, active participation of the State Government is essential for the proper growth and development of NSS Programme in the State. To achieve this aim, the following administrative structure is envisaged at state level, consisting of the State Liaison Cell and State Advisory Committee.

State NSS Cell

At the State level, there will be a State NSS Cell headed by the State Liaison Officer (SLO). The Government of India extends cent percent financial assistance for establishing the State NSS Cell.

Functions of the State NSS Cell

The main functions of the State NSS Cell are :-
(a) To ensure, that budgetary provisions are made for NSS programme in the State budget;
(b) Timely allocation of NSS strength to respective Universities in the State.
(c) Timely release of grants to Universities and colleges/+2 councils.
(d) Submission of accounts, statements and programme reports to Government of India.
(e) Convening of meetings of State NSS Advisory Committee from time to time.
(f) Monitoring of the programme through Universities/+2 councils and in consultation with NSS Regional Centre.
(g) Coordinating with development agencies and departments for NSS programme development in the state.

State Liaison Officer
The State Liaison officer will be the head of the State NSS Cell which is set up in the State Secretariat. The State Liaison Officer will be looking after the functions of the cell as stated above and to get all matters expedited and take follow-up action at appropriate levels in the State for effective implementation of NSS.

Since National Service Scheme is jointly sponsored by the Government of India and the State Government, active participation of the State Government is essential for the proper growth and development of NSS Programme in the State. To achieve this aim, the following administrative structure is envisaged at state level, consisting of the State Liaison Cell and State Advisory Committee.

State NSS Cell

At the State level, there will be a State NSS Cell headed by the State Liaison Officer (SLO). The Government of India extends cent percent financial assistance for establishing the State NSS Cell.

Functions of the State NSS Cell

The main functions of the State NSS Cell are :-
(a) To ensure, that budgetary provisions are made for NSS programme in the State budget;
(b) Timely allocation of NSS strength to respective Universities in the State.
(c) Timely release of grants to Universities and colleges/+2 councils.
(d) Submission of accounts, statements and programme reports to Government of India.
(e) Convening of meetings of State NSS Advisory Committee from time to time.
(f) Monitoring of the programme through Universities/+2 councils and in consultation with NSS Regional Centre.
(g) Coordinating with development agencies and departments for NSS programme development in the state.

State Liaison Officer
The State Liaison officer will be the head of the State NSS Cell which is set up in the State Secretariat. The State Liaison Officer will be looking after the functions of the cell as stated above and to get all matters expedited and take follow-up action at appropriate levels in the State for effective implementation of NSS.

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL

The National Service Scheme covers students at the level of higher education. Thus the administrative structures of the higher education have the responsibility of looking after NSS and its implementation at college/school/universities level. The successful functioning of NSS cell at University level will give impetus for proper implementation of NSS in the unit level.

NSS University Cell Every University should have an NSS Cell to supervise and coordinate NSS Programme in Colleges affiliated to it.

• The Universities having strength of more than 10000 NSS volunteers should have full time programme coordinators. The Universities having strength of less than 10000 NSS volunteers may have part time programme coordinators.
• NSS being an academic extension programme the University will provide necessary infrastructure and other facilities like telephone, office and office equipment and secretarial assistance for the smooth functioning of the cell.
• The cell will function under the Vice-Chancellor, the Programme Coordinator, NSS will be incharge of the cell and the main executive functionary.

Programme Coordinator The Programme Coordinator is the key functionary as far as NSS is concerned. Therefore, a dedicated and devoted Programme Coordinator can plan, execute and evaluate the NSS activities in a proper perspective. The Programme Coordinator will execute all administrative and policy directives of the government, decisions of the State Advisory Committee and University Advisory Committee. The NSS programme will be prepared in the light of the guidelines issued by the Government of India.