As a part of your first year curriculum, you are expected to participate in either a sport (NSO), or the NCC or community service through NSS. Bear in mind that this is a
“part of your curriculum” and thus, you will be graded on it
(Pass or Not Pass). That's why we have posted in here along with your First year Courses. Usually, you can Pass by attending your sessions regularly (yes, the 80% attendance rules applies here as well) and by doing modestly in the final test. But there have been cases in the past of students receiving a Not Pass grade because of not taking it seriously. Early in the semester, you have to fill in your choices and so here's a little info about each of them. Choose only what you want to do because you will have to attend the sessions for two semesters (you cannot change once the allotment is final and the sessions start)
National Sports Organization (NSO):The NSO programme encompasses a wide number of sports, the complete list of which can be found in your preference form. Typically, classes are held twice a week in the evenings for about an hour and a half and at the end of your first year, the final exam is conducted for each sport. As these classes are held only for first year students, they give an excellent opportunity to pursue any game you like (see Note: 2 below). But, as it is with all good things, conditions apply. With a batch of more than 800 students, it is impossible that every student gets a chance to be a part of the sport of his/her choice. You fill out 2-3 sports which you would like to play and subsequently, when the semester starts, trials are held for each sport. Look out for the posters on the Hostel Notice boards or listen for them on the Hostel PA system in the evenings. Failure to turn up for the trials doesn't entitle you to another chance in most cases, so be on time! Also, for sports like Badminton, Tennis, Table Tennis, etc please carry your equipment with you at the time of your trials. Try borrowing if you are unequipped.
Once you are done with the trials, it’s all fun! NSO gives you an opportunity to form a group with whom you can continue playing in your senior years for recreation. For those who have been a part of their school sports teams, here’s the road back! Use it to shed off the rust and have a real shot at getting into the Institute Team!
Note:1) There might be cases where the CS101 labs(usually held in the evenings) might clash with your NSO classes. You can talk with your CS101 instructor and have your lab days shifted.
2) For most sports, you are expected to know the basics. It's not the best place to start if you are a novice and want to learn the sport.
3) NSO also has an option for music - vocals or the chance to learn an instrument e.g. the tabla, the keyboard, the guitar and the violin.
National Service Scheme (NSS):All students who join NSS are grouped into four different departments - Educational Outreach, Events, Personality Development Program (PDP) or Group for Rural Activities (GRA). Based on the allocation, different people are allotted different activities.
The frequency of NSS sessions differs depending on the branch, but on an average, hourly sessions per week can be expected.
People joining Educational Outreach will have to put in around two hours a week teaching Basic Sciences/Mathematics/English to students of 6th standard onwards. They can also be allotted other activities like helping out in computer literacy classes, etc.
Events mainly involves various workshops and activities like clothes-collection campaigns which the students are expected to attend and help in organizing.
PDP sessions usually consist of things like debates and group discussions where students discuss socially relevant issues. They need to start a blog and update it at regular intervals. They may also have to join the events department from time to time in community work, mainly the clothes collection campaign, which is often organized in association with various NGOs.
A very important joint activity for Events and PDP people is the Navchetna Shivir organised once a semester. This is a five-day event where participating students are taught meditation techniques. This is a compulsory event and and it is mandatory to attend all five days to be marked as present in this activity.
GRA is mainly concerned with rural life and problems. Compared to other departments, GRA lays less stress on regular weekly sessions and focuses mainly on organizing camps which the students are required to attend from time to time.
Apart from this, the most important activity of NSS is a trip to a village, one in each semester. These trips are compulsory for all NSS students regardless of department. This activity, along with Navchetna Shivir for PDP and Events, is the most important activities of NSS and the final grade (PP or NP) is often decided by the successful completion of these two activities.
Students who are active participants in NSS and show dedication in their work are also awarded with a certificate of appreciation from the NSS. Students may also continue working for NSS as volunteers after their first year.
More information can be obtained from their website:
http://gymkhana.iitb.ac.in/~unnati/
National Cadet Corps (NCC):NCC is given to all those students who apply for it and is also the default allocation for those who do not make into NSO.
Though the initial process is completed very soon the NCC sessions actually start much later. These sessions are three hours long and are generally held on Saturdays. The NCC cadets are allotted their kit which contains two sets of uniforms along with military style boots and a pair of tennis shoes. You also get other stuff to deck yourself up - NCC shoulder pins, a silver coloured badge, a belt, socks and a cap. The sessions usually comprise of performing a PT drill and studying some technical details about army organization and artillery (this stuff is usually asked verbatim in exams so you would be better served by listening to it rather than staring sleepily).
A couple of shooting sessions also occur throughout the year which involve interested students being allowed to practice on shooting ranges in Thane. The most important event of NCC is the compulsory annual camp which takes place for 10 days in December right after the first semester. The camp involves visit to shooting ranges, naval ships and military bases. Further, drill and physical exercises are also an integral part of this camp along with traversal of the obstacle course. The camp ends with a cultural night and prize distribution. Attendance at the camp is mandatory for passing NCC. The NCC final exams are held in the month of February. It is a written exam of three/four hours’ duration. Passing this exam along with having a decent attendance will get you the NCC B Certificate and a pass grade in this course.
[Credits to Raunak Khandelwal, Avradeep and Shashwat Shukla respectively.]
