Self Finance Unit (In-brief)

NSS is a unique programme for personality and character development of students. It benefits the students as well as the community for which the students work. There is a huge demand for setting up NSS units all over the country, but the due to financial constraints, the Government has not been in a position to provide the funding support commensurate with the demand. So far, less that 15% of the students eligible to join NSS have been covered under the Programme. It is in this context that the mechanism of SFUs has been conceptualised. Under the mechanism, any educational institution meeting the eligibility conditions of the NSS, can set up an NSS unit provided they are willing to meet the expenses of running the unit on their own, without asking for the Government funding support.

The institutions setting up the SFUs would need to raise necessary resources for running of the NSS unit on their own. Such institutions could, if necessary, charge a nominal fee for NSS programme activities. Funds could also be mobilised through CSR activities of corporate sector. Funds could be mobilised from any other legitimate source as well. Such institutions shall follow the financial norms and accounting procedures of NSS, as applicable to other NSS units.

SFUs will, for all practical purposes, operate as the regular NSS Units except that the expenditure on running the unit shall be borne by the SFU Institution. This would, inter-alia, include the following:

• SFUs of NSS shall be eligible, at par with other NSS units, for participation in all the programmes including Republic Day Parade Camps, Adventure Programmes, National Integration Camps, Youth Festival, Youth Exchange Programmes, etc.
  
• SFUs of NSS shall be eligible to be considered for various NSS Awards like any other NSS unit.
  
• SFUs of NSS will also be eligible to conduct programmes of NSS sponsored by other national as well as international/ multi-lateral organizations.
  
• SFUs of NSS can also avail financial assistance under the Schemes of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, by following the due procedure.
  
• Necessary training to the functionaries of SFUs shall be imparted in the same manner as in case of other NSS units.
  
• SFUs of NSS will form part of the State NSS Contingent.
  
• All the instructions/ guidelines of NSS shall be binding on the SFUs of NSS. It will be obligatory on SFUs to furnish regular Progress Reports like any other NSS unit. In case of any violation, the affiliation may be terminated.