NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OPEN SCHOOLING
NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling)
COMPLETE GUIDE
For Class 10th & 12th
Admission • Eligibility • Fees • Subjects • Exams
What is NIOS?
National Institute of Open Schooling
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Education, Government of India (GOI). It provides flexible learning opportunities through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system.
Courses Offered by NIOS
NIOS offers Secondary (Class 10) and Senior Secondary (Class 12) courses, along with Open Basic Education, vocational education and other learning programmes.
Flexible Learning Opportunities
It allows students to choose the subjects they wish to study, making education accessible to those who have left school for various reasons, those who are employed, or those who are unable to attend regular schools.
Study Support and Examinations
Through study materials, a nationwide network of study centres, and flexible examination options, NIOS helps learners continue their education and work towards obtaining recognised school-level qualifications.
Is NIOS Valid for Government Jobs and Further Studies?
✓ Yes, NIOS Certificates Are Valid
Yes, NIOS Class 10 and Class 12 certificates are valid for government jobs and further studies, subject to the eligibility criteria of the respective recruitment authority or educational institution.
NIOS at a Glance
National Institute of Open Schooling — Key Information
| Full Form |
National Institute of Open Schooling |
| Establishment |
November 1989 |
| Type |
Autonomous Institution, Ministry of Education |
| Major Courses |
Class 10th (Secondary) and Class 12th (Senior Secondary) |
| Education Mode |
Open and Distance Learning (ODL) |
Official Address
National Institute of Open Schooling
A-24/25, Institutional Area, Sector - 62, NOIDA, Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh - 201 309
Why NIOS is Flexible
Learn at your own pace and according to your needs
NIOS provides flexible learning options for students who want to continue their education according to their needs and convenience.
01. Choice of Subjects
Students can select subjects based on their interests and future goals, following NIOS passing requirements.
02. Flexible Admission
Students can apply online or get assistance from designated NIOS study and facilitation centres.
03. Examination Flexibility
Public examinations are generally held twice a year. Students can use the available examination opportunities within five years to complete their courses, subject to NIOS rules.
04. On-Demand Examinations
Eligible students may take examinations when they feel prepared, subject to NIOS rules and centre availability.
Choice of Medium of Instruction
Choose from the available languages
NIOS gives students the option to choose their preferred language of instruction from the available options for their course.
Secondary (Class 10)
Hindi
English
Urdu
Marathi
Telugu
Gujarati
Malayalam
Tamil
Odia
Punjabi
Assamese
Sanskrit
Kannada
Senior Secondary (Class 12)
Hindi
English
Urdu
Bengali
Gujarati
Sanskrit
Odia
NIOS Programmes for Secondary (Class 10th)
The NIOS Secondary Course offers a range of language and academic subjects. Students should select their subjects according to the applicable NIOS scheme of studies and examination rules.
Group A – Subjects
Languages and communication subjects
| S. No. |
Subject Name |
| 1 | Hindi |
| 2 | English |
| 3 | Urdu |
| 4 | Sanskrit |
| 5 | Bengali |
| 6 | Marathi |
| 7 | Telugu |
| 8 | Gujarati |
| 9 | Kannada |
| 10 | Punjabi |
| 11 | Assamese |
| 12 | Indian Sign Language** |
| 13 | Nepali |
| 14 | Malayalam |
| 15 | Odia |
| 16 | Arabic |
| 17 | Persian |
| 18 | Tamil |
| 19 | Sindhi |
Important Note: Examinations for the subjects in Group A are held on the same day and at the same time, according to the supplied scheme. Check the latest NIOS date sheet before selecting subjects.
Group B – Subjects
Academic, vocational and other subjects
| S. No. |
Subject Name |
| 1 | Mathematics |
| 2 | Science |
| 3 | Social Science |
| 4 | Economics |
| 5 | Business Studies |
| 6 | Home Science |
| 7 | Psychology |
| 8 | Indian Culture & Heritage |
| 9 | Accountancy |
| 10 | Painting |
| 11 | Data Entry Operations |
| 12 | Hindustani Sangeet |
| 13 | Carnatic Sangeet |
| 14 | Folk Art |
| 15 | Veda Adhyayan |
| 16 | Sanskrit Vyakarana |
| 17 | Bharatiya Darshan |
| 18 | Sanskrit Sahitya |
| 19 | Natyakala |
| 20 | Entrepreneurship |
| 21 | Physical Education |
Secondary Subject Selection
Understand how to choose your subjects
| Category |
Details |
| Compulsory Subjects |
Choose five subjects, including one or two languages from Group A and the remaining subjects from Group B. |
| Additional Subjects |
Up to two additional subjects can be selected from Group A or Group B by paying extra fees, subject to NIOS rules. |
Note: Subject availability, practical requirements and examination scheduling may change. Please refer to the latest official NIOS prospectus and date sheet before finalising your subject combination.
NIOS Senior Secondary Programme
Scheme of Studies for Senior Secondary Level (Class 12th)
NIOS Senior Secondary students can choose subjects from Groups A, B, C, D, E and F, subject to the applicable subject-selection rules. Review the available subjects before choosing your combination.
Group A – Subjects
Language Subjects
| S. No. | Subject Name |
|---|
| 1 | Hindi |
| 2 | English |
| 3 | Urdu |
| 4 | Sanskrit |
| 5 | Gujarati |
| 6 | Bengali |
| 7 | Tamil |
| 8 | Odia |
| 9 | Punjabi |
| 10 | Arabic |
| 11 | Persian |
| 12 | Malayalam |
| 13 | Sindhi |
Group B – Subjects
Academic and other subjects
| S. No. | Subject Name |
|---|
| 1 | Mathematics |
| 2 | Home Science* |
| 3 | Psychology |
| 4 | Geography* |
| 5 | Economics |
| 6 | Business Studies |
| 7 | Painting* |
| 8 | Data Entry Operations* |
| 9 | Gender Studies |
| 10 | Entrepreneurship |
| 11 | Early Childhood Care & Education* |
| 12 | Veda Adhyayan# |
| 13 | Sanskrit Vyakarana# |
| 14 | Bharatiya Darshan# |
| 15 | Sanskrit Sahitya# |
| 16 | Natyakala#* |
| 17 | Krishi: Production, Processing and Marketing# |
Group C – Subjects
| S. No. | Subject Name |
|---|
| 18 | Physics* |
| 19 | History |
| 20 | Environmental Science* |
| 21 | Library and Information Science* |
Group D – Subjects
| S. No. | Subject Name |
|---|
| 22 | Chemistry* |
| 23 | Political Science |
| 24 | Mass Communication* |
| 25 | Military Studies |
Group E – Subjects
| S. No. | Subject Name |
|---|
| 26 | Biology |
| 27 | Accountancy |
| 28 | Introduction to Law |
| 29 | Military History |
Group F – Subjects
| S. No. | Subject Name |
|---|
| 30 | Computer Science |
| 31 | Sociology |
| 32 | Tourism |
NIOS Online Admission Process: Step-by-Step Guide
How to Apply for Secondary (Class 10) and Senior Secondary (Class 12)
The following guide explains the general online application process for students seeking admission to NIOS Secondary (Class 10) and Senior Secondary (Class 12) courses.
STEP 1 · VISIT THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PORTAL
Start your application through the official NIOS Student Portal.
Open NIOS Student Portal ↗
Application Steps
02. Click Register
Select the “Register” option, read the instructions carefully and click “Proceed” to continue, as prompted by the portal.
03. Select Your State
Choose the state relevant to your registration from the available options.
04. Select Identity Type
Choose an identity document accepted by the portal. Depending on the current instructions, options may include Aadhaar Number, Aadhaar Enrolment ID, Passport, Ration Card, Bank Account Number or another permitted document.
05. Enter Identity Details
Enter the required identity information accurately. If Aadhaar-based verification is used, follow the verification instructions displayed on the portal.
06. Choose Your Course
Select the course for which you wish to apply:
Secondary: Class 10
Senior Secondary: Class 12
07. Fill in Basic Details
Enter the applicant’s name, parents’ names, date of birth, mobile number, email address and other requested personal details.
08. Verify Mobile Number and Email
Generate and enter the OTP or verification code wherever requested to confirm your contact details.
09. Complete Other Information
Fill in your address, social category and other required information. Upload your photograph, identity proof and supporting documents, such as a category certificate or previous marksheet, where applicable.
10. Select Your Subjects
Choose subjects according to the selected course, NIOS subject-selection rules and your future study requirements.
11. Fill in Optional Details
Complete any remaining fields requested in the application form. Follow the portal instructions for optional and mandatory information.
12. Select a Study Centre
Choose your preferred study centre from the available options. The supplied diagram indicates that up to three centres may be selected in order of preference; confirm the current portal instructions.
13. Review Your Application
Check your personal details, selected subjects, uploaded documents and study centre preferences carefully. Correct any errors before submitting the application.
14. Make Payment
Review the applicable admission fee and proceed to the payment gateway offered by the portal. Save the payment receipt and application confirmation for future reference.
Documents Required for NIOS Admission
Document Checklist for Secondary (Class 10) and Senior Secondary (Class 12)
Students applying for NIOS Secondary (Class 10) or Senior Secondary (Class 12) courses should keep the relevant documents ready for online registration. Exact requirements may vary according to the applicant’s eligibility, course and category.
01
Recent Passport-Size Photograph
02
Identity Proof
Aadhaar Card or another identity document accepted by NIOS under the current admission instructions.
03
Date of Birth Proof
Birth Certificate or another document accepted by NIOS as proof of date of birth.
04
Address Proof
Aadhaar Card, Voter ID or another residential document, if required and accepted for the application.
05
Previous Educational Certificate
For Secondary (Class 10) admission, a Class 8 marksheet/certificate or the prescribed self-certificate may be relevant, depending on the applicable eligibility rules.
06
Class 10 Marksheet/Certificate
Generally required as proof of prior qualification when applying for Senior Secondary (Class 12), subject to NIOS admission rules.
07
Category Certificate
SC/ST certificate, if applicable and required for the category or benefit being claimed.
08
Disability Certificate
Relevant disability certificate, if applicable and required when claiming a PwD-related benefit or accommodation.
09
Other Supporting Documents
Any additional documents required according to the applicant’s course, eligibility, admission stream or category.
Important Note
This is a general checklist, not a guarantee that every document is compulsory for every applicant. Check the latest NIOS prospectus and Student Portal instructions for the exact documents, file formats and eligibility requirements applicable to your admission.
NIOS Stream 1 Admission Fee Structure
Secondary (Class 10) and Senior Secondary (Class 12)
| Course |
Fee Details |
General Male |
Female / Third Gender |
Exempted Category* |
| Secondary (Class 10) |
5 Subjects |
₹2,340 |
₹1,890 |
₹1,560 |
| Each Additional Subject |
₹940 |
₹940 |
₹940 |
| Senior Secondary (Class 12) |
5 Subjects |
₹2,600 |
₹2,150 |
₹1,690 |
| Each Additional Subject |
₹940 |
₹940 |
₹940 |
Who Is Included in the Exempted Category?
According to the supplied fee structure, the exempted category includes SC/ST candidates, Ex-Servicemen and Persons with Disabilities (PwD), subject to applicable NIOS rules and eligibility conditions.
NIOS Examination Fees
Public Examination and Practical Examination Charges
| Nature of Fee |
Amount |
| Public Examination Fee (Secondary & Senior Secondary) |
₹300 per subject |
| Additional Practical Fee (for subjects with theory and practical components) |
₹150 per subject |
Important Fee Note
The amounts above are based on the fee details supplied for this article. Admission and examination fees, exemptions and additional charges may change. Please verify the applicable amounts in the latest official NIOS prospectus or Student Portal before making payment.
