Chennai, Nov 4 – Tamil Nadu’s polytechnic colleges have reached a new high in National Service Scheme (NSS) enrollment, topping the entire country.
The surge comes as a result of enthusiastic students and steady support from the Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE). “The NSS units now operate in 335 colleges with 45,500 registered volunteers,” a senior DOTE officer said. “That’s the largest number of volunteers among all polytechnic institutions in India.”
The NSS, launched by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, lets students join community‑service projects that build citizenship skills. Tamil Nadu introduced the scheme in polytechnics in 1983‑84, starting with just 10 colleges and about 1,000 volunteers. Over four decades, the program grew rapidly. From 2000 to 2004, enrollment jumped to more than 20,700. In the last five years alone – 2019 to 2025 – over 45,000 students signed up, showing a fresh drive among youth to give back to society.
“This program shapes character, turning students into socially responsible citizens,” the officer added.
The state has also used the NSS framework to set up Red Ribbon Clubs (RRCs) in 250 colleges, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and other health issues. Tamil Nadu’s repeated national awards recognize how well it blends service with skill‑based learning.
NSS volunteers in the state work on a wide range of projects: tree‑planting drives, health education, disaster‑management workshops, road‑safety and first‑aid training, women’s self‑employment initiatives, and technical training for rural youth. “Over 90 % of these activities hit their targets because volunteers are so committed,” the officer noted.
Through service learning, Tamil Nadu’s polytechnic students prove that technical training and community service can go hand in hand—creating not only skilled professionals but also compassionate citizens.
Source: ianslive
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