31, July 2025
Empowering Rural India through National Service Scheme: A Critical Analysis in the context of Rural Development
Author(s): Dr. Shreedhar Nimavat
Authors Affiliations:
Assistant Professor, Department of Rural Studies
Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat
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Abstract:Â The National Service Scheme (NSS) has emerged as a pivotal mechanism in addressing rural development challenges across India through systematic engagement of student volunteers in comprehensive community service initiatives. This paper examines NSS's transformative influence on rural empowerment, emphasizing its multifaceted contributions across education, vocational training, healthcare delivery, sanitation improvement, and environmental sustainability. By strategically aligning its initiatives with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), NSS effectively addresses critical concerns including poverty alleviation, hunger mitigation, healthcare accessibility, and climate-responsive actions. However, the scheme encounters significant operational hurdles, including chronic financial limitations, irregular volunteer participation, and inadequate institutional backing from educational establishments. The paper explores comprehensive strategies for amplifying NSS's developmental impact through strategic collaborations with government agencies and NGOs, meaningful integration of digital technologies, and expanded focus on contemporary priorities such as digital literacy and women's empowerment. Through detailed case studies and quantifiable outcomes, this research demonstrates how NSS initiatives have successfully reduced poverty levels, enhanced literacy rates, and improved public health indicators in rural communities. The analysis concludes by emphasizing the critical importance of sustained innovation and long-term strategic vision to ensure enduring rural development and community resilience across India's vast rural landscape.
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Keywords:Â NSS, rural development, community service, skill development, poverty reduction, education, healthcare, environmental conservation, Sustainable Development Goals, digital literacy, social responsibility, rural and women empowerment.
Dr. Shreedhar Nimavat(2025); Empowering Rural India through National Service Scheme: A Critical Analysis in the context of Rural Development, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-7, Pp. 361-369.     Available on –  https://www.ijirmf.com/