National Youth Corps (NYC)

What is the National Youth Corps?

The National Youth Corps (NYC) is a scheme of the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, implemented through the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS). National Youth Corps engages disciplined and dedicated young people to serve the nation and to work as a channel between the community and government development programmes. It gives young men and women a structured opportunity to contribute to nation-building for a fixed period while receiving a modest honorarium.

According to the scheme guidelines, National Youth Corps enables young men and women in the age group of 18-29 years to serve up to two years on a full-time basis, for which they receive an honorarium of Rs 5,000 per month. The honorarium is inclusive of travelling allowance. National Youth Volunteers (NYVs), as the participants are called, assist in the implementation of youth and community-development activities at the district level.

Key features

• Scheme of the Department of Youth Affairs; implemented by NYKS.
• Engagement is full-time and temporary, for a maximum of two years.
• Honorarium of Rs 5,000 per month, inclusive of TA.
• Selection encourages representation from weaker sections and gender balance.

Who is eligible for the National Youth Corps?

You can apply if:

• You are a young man or woman aged 18 to 29 years.
• You have completed at least Class 10 (Matriculation).
• You are willing to work full-time as a volunteer for up to two years.
• You are an Indian national able to serve in the district/area of engagement.

Selection actively encourages candidates from the weaker sections of society and maintains a gender balance, in line with the objective of inclusive youth participation.

You cannot apply / are not eligible if:

• You are below 18 or above 29 years of age.
• You have not passed Class 10.
• You are seeking regular or permanent employment. The NYC is a voluntary, time-bound engagement and confers no right to a government job.
• You cannot commit to full-time service, since the engagement is not a part-time or stipendiary study arrangement.

The engagement is temporary by design. Completing a term as a National Youth Volunteer does not create any claim to continued engagement or absorption into NYKS or any government service.

How much does the National Youth Corps pay?

A National Youth Volunteer receives an honorarium of Rs 5,000 per month, inclusive of travelling allowance, for the period of engagement. The engagement, including the training period, may run for up to two years. The honorarium is credited to the volunteer's bank account. Beyond the honorarium, the primary "benefit" of the scheme is the experience, training and exposure to community-development work that volunteers gain during their term.

What documents are required?

How to apply for the National Youth Corps

1. Watch for a selection announcement by your District Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) or on the NYKS portal — volunteers are selected in cycles, not on a continuous rolling basis.
2. Approach the District Nehru Yuva Kendra in your district to obtain the application format and the local selection details.
3. Submit the application with proof of age (18-29 years), your Class 10 certificate, identity proof and bank details, as per the NYV selection guidelines.
4. Attend the selection process conducted by NYKS at the district level.
5. Join and complete the orientation/training, after which you serve as a National Youth Volunteer and receive the Rs 5,000 monthly honorarium.

Where to get help

The National Youth Corps is run on the ground by the network of Nehru Yuva Kendras, NYKS has district units across the country. Interested youth should contact their District Nehru Yuva Kendra for the current selection cycle, eligibility details and application format. The NYKS portal at nyks.nic.in publishes the National Youth Volunteer selection guidelines and the directory of district offices.

Because there is no permanent all-India online intake, the surest route is to stay in touch with the district NYK and apply when a selection cycle for your district is announced.