Students failed in 10th, 12th exams can save their year by passing exam through NIOS: Know how
NIOS conducts a public examination to give all failed students of all recognised boards in India a chance to pass the examination and save their precious year. Read here details about NIOS's examination policies and other related facts.

All those students who failed in their secondary or senior secondary board exams 2019 need not to get depressed or disappointed as the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) gives all failed candidates a chance to save their year by appearing and passing the exam in the same year. Students can study through open school system and pass their board class without wasting a year.
NIOS On Demand Exam 2019 Begins from June 1; Check details here
NIOS is a national board that administers examinations for Secondary and Senior Secondary examinations of open schools which are similar to the CBSE and the CISCE to increase literacy and provides education to rural areas. The NIOS Board operates on the principle of open tuition concept, which provides students with the opportunity to pursue education without having to attend a full-time school.
What is NIOS?
National Institute of Open Schooling popularly known as NIOSis a national board which serves a platform for all those students who want to complete their education in private mode. The education board was started by Ministry of Human Resource Development with an aim to provide education to the rural or backward section of the society who could learn without attending schools. It has become India’s largest open education board and is equivalent to formal education of other boards.
To know more click here.
What are the prominent features of NIOS?
- Just like CBSE, CISCE, etc., NIOS is also a government authorised board. Hence, its authenticity & recognition can't be doubted.
- Students who have passed from NIOS board can appear national level entrance exam like JEE, BITSAT, AIPMT, etc.
- For failed/dropout students, NIOS offers feature named the On-Demand Examination (ODE) which allows the student to get assessed when he/ she is ready. ODE is a great step in the direction of flexibility to the open and distance learning
- NIOS also provides an opportunity to appear in only that paper in which a student has failed in the board exams. For example, if one has failed in Chemistry in CBSE, then student appear in the On-Demand Chemistry exam of NIOS. The marks of the other passed subjects in board exams will be transferred to the NIOS certificate.
- NIOS operates through 21 Regional and 4 Sub Centres as well as 6351 study centres in India and 31 study centres abroad including UAE, Kuwait, Muscat, Kingdom of Bahrain, Nepal, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
When does NIOS conduct exams for 10th and 12th?
NIOS conducts the Public Exam twice in a year, one in April /May and second in October/November. However, students may also appear through On Demand Examination (ODE) at Secondary Level and Senior Secondary level in those subjects only in which they have admission in NIOS.
What is the Pass and Certification Criteria in NIOS?
Pass and certification criteria for secondary and senior secondary courses by NIOS are described in the following table:
Course |
Pass Criteria |
Certification Criteria |
Secondary Course |
A minimum of 33% marks in the aggregate (Theory plus Practicals where applicable). |
Pass in 5 subjects including at least one but not more than two languages |
Senior Secondary Course |
A minimum of 33% marks (separately in theory and Practicals in subjects having both and also in aggregate). |
Pass in 5 subjects including at least one but not more than two languages |
How to apply for secondary and senior secondary courses in NIOS?
The application form of NIOS board for new learners is available two times a year as the board follows a bi-annual examination process. So, students can apply for Block-I of stream 1 or Block-II of stream 1 every year.
To know the complete detail of application process click here.
Fee Structure:
Fee structure for secondary and senior secondary courses by NIOS, is mentioned in the following table:
Examination |
Fee |
Examination fees both for Secondary and Sr. Secondary |
Rs. 250/- per subject |
Additional fees for practicals in subjects having both theory and practicals |
Rs. 120/- per subject |
Late fee for examination |
Rs. 100/- per subject |
Consolidate late fee to be received at Regional Centres only |
Rs. 1500/- consolidated |
The examination fee is same for both Secondary and Senior Secondary courses.