Discover the National Youth Corps (NYC) scheme in India, empowering rural youth through developmental activities and suitable honorarium.
Introduction
Introducing the voluntary National Youth Corps (NYC) scheme by the Indian Government, aiming to engage rural youth in developmental activities. Implemented through the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) under the Department of Youth Affairs, this scheme offers a suitable honorarium to the dedicated volunteers contributing to nation-building. Explore the National Youth Corps in-depth in this article.
Objectives
The objectives of the National Youth Corps Scheme, as outlined below, are:
- Cultivating a dedicated and disciplined group of young individuals with a passion for nation-building.
- Facilitating the achievement of social and economic development goals.
- Serving as information hubs and disseminators of basic knowledge within the community.
- Acting as peer group educators and influencers.
- Inspiring the youth cohort to uphold public ethics, integrity, and the dignity of labour.
Eligibility Criteria For NYC Volunteer
The eligibility criteria for becoming a volunteer in the National Youth Corps are as follows:
- Minimum qualification required is a pass in Class 10th. Individuals meeting this requirement are eligible to enrol as NYC volunteers in any state. Priority will be given to:
- Applicants with higher educational qualifications and knowledge of computer applications.
- Members of NYKS-affiliated Youth Clubs, particularly Mentor Youth Clubs.
- Age limit: Minimum age requirement is 18 years, and the maximum age limit for registration under the NYC is 25 years.
Note:
- Students currently enrolled in regular academic courses are not eligible to register for the scheme, considering the demands of their full-time commitments.
- Encouragement will be given to the participation of volunteers from marginalised sections of society, such as the SC or ST community. Gender equality will be maintained as much as possible during the registration and deployment of volunteers.
Documents Required
The following documents need to be provided along with the National Youth Corps application form:
- Birth Certificate (Copy)
- SC/ST/OBC Certificate (Copy)
- Identity Proof: PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Driving License, Voter ID Card, etc.
- Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Valid Passport, Utility bill, Property tax bill, etc.
- Certificate of BPL (Below Poverty Line family)
- Bank passbook statements and details
- Any other necessary documents (if required)
Application Procedure For National Youth Corps
Step 1: To register under this scheme, applicants should contact the Nehru Yuva Kendras (NYKS), serving as the national secretariat for volunteer registration.
Note: District Youth Coordinators will invite application forms from affiliated Youth Clubs, ensuring ample notice and publicity.
Scheme Application Form
Step 2: Volunteers need to submit their application, following the prescribed format, to the respective District Youth Coordinator of NYKS.
Submit the Application
Step 3: Fill out the application form, providing all the requested information.
Step 4: After entering the information and attaching the necessary documents, submit the form to the relevant official.
Interview Process
Step 5: Shortlisted applicants will be called for an interview and must present original certificates along with attested copies. Whenever possible, incorporate the Unique Identity Number (UID) or Voter Identity number.
Application Process
Step 6: All received applications will be processed through an IT-based interface, utilising the necessary connectivity provided by NYKS.
Volunteers Strength & Deployment
A total of 13,206 volunteers will be deployed across the country. Each block in districts with functional NYK will have two volunteers deployed. The maximum deployment period is two years. Furthermore, one volunteer will be deployed in every two wards/mandals in Delhi and Telangana, respectively. Additionally, two volunteers will be deployed in each NYK District office for computer/documentation work, and three volunteers will be deployed in each Non-NYK/newly created district. In case of a decrease in volunteer numbers during their deployment, replacements will be sourced from an approved reserve list established during the selection process. The volunteers involved in the NYC scheme are referred to as National Youth Volunteers.
Registration of Volunteers
NYKS will act as the National Secretariat for registering volunteers across the country. To enrol as a volunteer, interested individuals must submit their application in the prescribed format (Annexure-1) to the respective District Youth Officers of NYKS.
All District Youth Officers will invite applications from affiliated Youth Clubs, ensuring notices and adequate publicity as per Annexure-A.
Applicants selected for an interview must provide original certificates for educational qualifications, date of birth, etc., along with attested copies. The Unique Identity Number (UID) or Voter ID number must be included where available. The application format will be technologically compatible to avoid any subjective selection bias. A web portal dedicated to NYC will maintain a comprehensive database of applicants, volunteer selection, and deployment. All applications received under the scheme will be processed through an IT-based network, facilitated by NYKS.
Dress Code For Volunteers
The Scheme will establish a standardised dress code for volunteers. The purpose of providing uniforms is to give volunteers a distinct identity, allowing user agencies to easily recognise their designated roles. The specific design of the uniform and its associated costs are currently being developed independently.
Honorarium
During their engagement, volunteers will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹ 5000/- (Rupees five thousand only), including transportation allowance (TA), for a maximum period of two years (including training duration). The monthly honorarium will be determined based on the online attendance recorded by the respective Kendra.
Funding Pattern
For volunteers deployed in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, the necessary funds will be directly allocated to the State Government. The State Government will then establish a suitable mechanism, with assistance from banking agencies, to ensure timely payment of the honorarium to the volunteers. On the other hand, funds for volunteers deployed in the rest of the country will be released to the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS). The payment of honorarium to these volunteers will be facilitated through e-banking methods.
Implementation of the Scheme
The Department of Youth Affairs, Government of India (GoI), holds the responsibility for the comprehensive implementation of the National Youth Corps scheme. In the case of Jammu and Kashmir, the State Government takes charge of registering volunteers, deploying them, and assigning appropriate tasks based on local needs and requirements.
Policy And Coordination Framework
The Scheme will be monitored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which will also make any required modifications as deemed necessary.
Duration of Deployment
Volunteers are registered for a maximum duration of two years, which includes the time they spend undergoing Skill Development Training. Either the volunteers or the organisation can terminate the engagement by giving a one-month notice.
Entitlement of Leave
Volunteers will be entitled to 12 days of casual leave per year, which will be approved by the supervisor responsible for their deployment. No other types of leave will be permitted. In the case of unapproved leave, a pro-rata deduction will be made from the honorarium.
Certificate of Merit
After the volunteer successfully completes their assignment, the respective organisation will present them with a Certificate of Merit. This certificate will acknowledge their valuable contributions to community and nation-building, along with the work experience acquired during the deployment period.
Funding
The Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan will receive the funds, and the honorarium for volunteers will be disbursed through e-banking, direct benefit transfer (DBT), or TSA (Treasury Single Account) mode.
Selection of Volunteers
The Selection Committee, comprising a minimum of three and a maximum of five members, will be responsible for choosing the volunteers. The committee will be headed by the District Collector or Deputy Commissioner of the relevant district. Other committee members will be distinguished individuals from the fields of education, public figures, officials, or administrators associated with youth work or rural development, nominated by the Collector or DC of the District. The District Youth Coordinator of NYK will serve as the Member Secretary. Preference will be given to members of NYK’s affiliated Youth Clubs and volunteers with prior experience in NYKS/NSS.
FAQs
What is the age limit for the National Youth Corps?
The eligible age limit for the National Youth Corps registration is a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 29 years.
What are the requirements for the National Youth Corps?
The NYC Scheme provides an opportunity for young individuals, aged between 18 and 29 years, to engage in full-time service for up to two years (including a 4-week training period) in designated developmental activities. Participants in the program will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹ 5000/-.
What is the salary of a NYK volunteer?
The salary for NYK volunteers ranges from ₹ 8,389 to ₹ 9,357 per month.
How do I become a national youth volunteer?
To become a volunteer, interested individuals must submit their application, following the prescribed format (Annexure-1), to the respective District Youth Officers of NYKS.
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