pRESENT STATUS OF THIRD SECTTOR IN INDIA

2. INTRODUCTION:
 Third sector , as defined by the Govt. consists of non-
governmental organisations which are value driven
and which principally reinvest their surpluses to
further social , environmental or cultural objectives.
 The sector includes voluntary and community
organizations , charities , social enterprises,
cooperatives and mutual's.
 The Third sector distinguishes all these organisations
from the “private sector’(Govt) and the “public
sector”(businesses).

3. IMPORTANCE OF THIRD SECTOR
 Allocation of resources:
The third sector is involved in the allocation of resources , through the
production of many public goods & services (in the field of health,
education & environment and so on ).
 Re-distribution of resources:
The third sector has a role of re-distribution of resources , via the
voluntary contributions (in cash , in kind or through volunteering) and
through the provision of a wide range of free or virtually free services to
deprived people.
 Empowerment:
Third sector organisations provide vehicles of participation and
association among similarity situated people , making it possible for
them to act in concert on matters of common concern

4.  Monitoring:
Third sector organizations can be important not only in changing laws
but also in ensuring their enforcement. This can take the form of
monitoring implementation,publicising enforcement lapses, and
initiating legal action where necessary to ensure that laws are
effectively applied.
 Tailoring services to Community Needs:
Rooted as they often are in the communities affected by
exclusion,third sector organisations are in a position to know
community needs.They can therefore tailor responses to the needs of
excluded groups and ensure more sensitive responses to their needs.

5. Present status of Third sector in India
Conflict between Government and Civil society
Increasing Number of NGOs Increasing Employment
Diverse Voluntary Sector Working On Global Issues
Start-Up of New Organisations
Due to Technology Setting
Growing Funding for Voluntary
Actvities

6. 1.Increasing Number of NGOs:
India has currently more than around 3.2 million registered non-
government organisations(NGOs).The Central Statistical Organisation of
India states there are around four NGO’s for every 1000 people in urban
areas and 2.3 NGO’s for every 1000 rural popuation . Their work spans a
wide spectrum , from judiciary to legislatures to media.
2.Increasing Employment:
The development or third sector in India is fast emerging as an attractive
career option . As the sector is growing and getting more organized it is
becoming the first professional choice for many youngsters . Apart from
engaging millions of volunteers every year the development sector also
employs approximately two millon proffesionals at pesent,a figure that is
set to rise by 20% in the years ahead.Today opportunities in this sector
are emerging in the areas of healthcare,education , skills development ,
civil rights , water and sanitation , climate change & advocacy.

7. 3.Diverse Voluntary sector:
The voluntary sector of india is diverse and vast.It has been very instrumental
in bringing positive changes into the lives of the downtrodden and
marginalised.Many of their works and achievements have gone unnoticed in
the absence of any documentation.However,the government is trying to
regulate the sector by tightening policies like FCRA,taxation,visa
regulations,etc.
4.Working On Global Issues:
Currently many voluntary organisations are working on the issues
crucial at the global level health,education,water and sanitation and
environmental issue that have linkages with the millenium
development goals.Those who have agenda matching with the donors
get funds,but not all of them are lucky.In their case,they become donor
driven and may work on the donor’s agenda even if that does not match
their organizational vision.India has witnessed a rapidly changing
society.

8. 5.Start-Up of New Organisations Due to Technology
setting:
The current setting in technology,communication and market have
together created immense opportunities and pressure to start many
new organisations especially around the issues of global governance
and policy advocacy.This is apart from being engaged in all sectors of
social life like relief,rehabilitation,health,education,development
progrrammes,peace,human rights,and environment and so on.
6.Growing Funding For Voluntary Activities:
Although under-resourced in comparison to business and
government,funding for voluntary activities has grown substantially in
specific areas with support from major foundations and tailored
funds.At the same time,there have been many developments at the
national and the global fronts that have impacted the sector.

9. 7.Conflict between Government and civil society
organizations:
The changed scenario has prompted the government to set new
conditions while engaging with NGO’s. The government does not want
civil society to have any say in formulating rules . For instance , its view
are not being taken while drafting the land acquisition and right to
food legislation .This has created division between NGO’s that take
support from the government and “activists” groups which adopt
aggressive policy postures . community-based organizations and
people’s movements also look upon both kinds of NGO’s with
suspicion.