NIOS admission is done online on the NIOS admission portal. As of 13 October 2026, Stream 1 Block 2 is open: apply for Class 10 or Class 12 without late fee until 31 January 2027 and take your first exam in September-October 2027. Five-subject fees start at Rs 2,340 (Class 10) and Rs 2,600 (Class 12).
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) describes itself as an examination board of the Government of India at par with CBSE and CISCE. Its certificates are accepted for higher education and government jobs. It suits school dropouts, students who failed a board exam, working adults, athletes and anyone who needs to study at their own pace or update a single subject. This guide covers what is open now, the four streams, eligibility, fees, documents and on-demand exams.
NIOS admission 2026-27: what is open right now
On 13 October 2026 the NIOS admission portal shows Stream 1 Block 1 as closed and Block 2 as open, with Stream 2 closed. Admission to the on-demand streams (3 and 4) runs all year. From the 2026-27 session, Stream 1 takes applications in two blocks, each tied to a different first exam.
| Block | Without late fee | With late fee | First exam you can take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block 1 (closed) | 16 March to 31 July 2026 | Rs 260 (1 to 15 August), Rs 520 (16 to 31 August), Rs 910 (1 to 15 September 2026) | March-April 2027 |
| Block 2 (open) | 16 September 2026 to 31 January 2027 | Rs 260 (1 to 15 February), Rs 520 (16 to 28 February), Rs 910 (1 to 15 March 2027) | September-October 2027 |
Apply before 31 January 2027 and you pay no late fee. Plan around the exam date, though. A Block 2 learner sits the first exam in September-October 2027, so a Class 12 result from this block will not be ready for college admissions that open in mid-2027. If you already have a failed or incomplete board attempt and need the certificate sooner, look at the on-demand route below.
The four NIOS streams explained
NIOS runs four admission streams for different needs. They are mutually exclusive, so you can register in only one at a time.
| Stream | Who it is for | Admission window | How you are examined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream 1 | Fresh admission to Secondary or Senior Secondary for anyone who meets the eligibility | Block 1 and Block 2 (dates above) | Public exams held twice a year |
| Stream 2 | Learners who passed a board and want part admission in 1 to 4 subjects, or who failed or could not appear in a board exam | 1 May to 30 June 2026 (closed) for the September-October 2026 exams | Public exam |
| Stream 3 | Secondary level, same groups as Stream 2, part admission in 1 to 4 subjects | Open all year | On-demand exams only |
| Stream 4 | Senior Secondary level, same groups as Stream 2, part admission in 1 to 4 subjects | Open all year | On-demand exams only |
Learners in Streams 3 and 4 cannot sit the public exams, and Stream 1 learners are attached to a study centre (called an AI) based on the preference they give and seat availability. If you want a full Class 10 or 12 certificate from scratch, Stream 1 is your route. If you only need to clear or improve a few subjects, Streams 2 to 4 are cheaper and faster.
NIOS eligibility for Class 10 and Class 12
| Requirement | Secondary (Class 10) | Senior Secondary (Class 12) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 14 years on the cut-off date for your block | 15 years on the cut-off date for your block |
| Qualification | Class 8 pass certificate, or a self-certificate that you have studied enough for the Secondary course | Secondary (Class 10) passed from a recognised board |
| Proof of date of birth | Birth certificate, passport, original transfer or school leaving certificate, or Aadhaar | Only your Class 10 certificate showing the date of birth |
| Subjects to pass | 5 subjects, including one or two languages | 5 subjects, including one or two languages |
| Maximum subjects | 7 (5 plus up to 2 additional) | 7 (5 plus up to 2 additional) |
One rule catches many Class 12 applicants. NIOS requires a gap of two years between the year you passed Class 10 and the year you take your Senior Secondary certificate. Without that gap, you can appear in at most four subjects in your first exams and take the rest only after the two years are complete. Check this before you count on a quick Class 12.
Your registration stays valid for five years, during which you get nine chances at the public exams, and you can pass subjects one by one until all five are cleared. To pass a subject you need 33% in aggregate, including your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs), and 33% in the exam itself. If you failed a board exam but passed at least one subject in a board on NIOS's list, you can carry those passes over through Transfer of Credit (TOC).
NIOS admission fees for 2026-27
| Course | Male (general) | Female or third gender (general) | SC/ST, ex-servicemen, PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary, 5 subjects | Rs 2,340 | Rs 1,890 | Rs 1,560 |
| Senior Secondary, 5 subjects | Rs 2,600 | Rs 2,150 | Rs 1,690 |
| Each additional subject | Rs 940 | Rs 940 | Rs 940 |
Add Rs 70 for each online transaction. The admission fee covers registration, study material, personal contact programmes at your study centre, the identity card and assignment evaluation. It does not include the exam fee, which you pay separately within the dates NIOS notifies before each exam. Female learners in Ladakh do not pay the registration fee or the cost of course material. To claim the reduced category fee, upload the original scanned certificate.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration under Streams 2, 3 and 4 | Rs 620 per subject |
| Transfer of Credit (TOC), all streams | Rs 230 per subject |
| Dual enrolment or part admission under Stream 1 | Rs 620 per subject registration, plus course material at Rs 470 (Secondary) or Rs 520 (Senior Secondary) per subject |
| Different or additional subject from your parent board (Streams 2, 3 and 4) | Rs 940 per subject |
Exam fees for Streams 2, 3 and 4 are charged per subject, with extra for practicals, so check the current fee on the portal before you pay. Dual enrolment suits a student in a regular school or a graduate who wants to add up to four subjects; on passing you get a marksheet, not a full certificate.
How to apply for NIOS admission online
Open the NIOS admission portal and pick the open block (Stream 1 Block 2 now) or the on-demand admission link. Read the instructions and declaration, then click Proceed.
Fill in your personal details, course, subjects and medium. Choose subjects carefully, because changing one later means an extra fee per subject.
Give your study centre preference. NIOS attaches you to a study centre based on your choice and the seats available.
Pick an authentication method (Aadhaar number or enrolment number, passport, ration card, bank account or another government ID) and upload a scan of that document.
Upload your photograph, signature and the documents listed below.
Pay online by credit card, debit card or net banking. If a Common Service Centre is helping you, it can pay from its wallet. Cash, cheques and demand drafts are not accepted.
If you claimed TOC, send the original failed marksheet with your reference number written on the back to your Regional Centre (Streams 1 and 2) or to the NIOS Online Cell in Noida (Streams 3 and 4).
NIOS says only Common Service Centres and its own study centres are authorised to help with online admission, and that no other agency or cybercafe is recognised. Pay only the official fee shown on the portal. You do not need to post the form or documents unless NIOS asks you by email or SMS.
Documents for NIOS admission
Recent passport-size colour photograph and your signature (black ink preferred), as scans.
Identity proof such as Aadhaar, passport or ration card.
Date of birth proof (see the eligibility table; for Class 12 only the Class 10 certificate counts).
Residence proof such as Aadhaar with full address, a utility bill, voter ID, ration card, passport, bank statement or an employer's letter. If you rent, add proof of your permanent address and the rent agreement.
Class 8 marksheet for Secondary, or Class 10 marksheet for Senior Secondary.
Caste certificate if you are SC, ST or OBC, an ex-serviceman certificate, or a disability certificate from a government hospital, as applicable.
Failed marksheet from your previous board if you want TOC; without it, your transferred marks will not show in your NIOS result.
NIOS on-demand exams (ODES)
The On Demand Examination System lets you take a subject when you feel ready instead of waiting for the twice-yearly public exam. Each candidate gets a different, computer-generated paper of the same difficulty, in English or Hindi, and you may answer in your regional medium.
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Where | NIOS headquarters in Noida and Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVS) centres |
| Theory exam days | Tuesday to Thursday at KVS centres; Tuesday to Friday at NIOS headquarters; 2 PM to 5 PM |
| Months with no ODES | April, May, October and November |
| Results | Declared in the last week of each month for the previous month's exams |
| Marksheet session | Exams taken May to October count as that year's April exam; November to April count as the preceding October exam |
| Who can use it | Existing NIOS learners, and new learners admitted under Streams 3 and 4 |
Most mainstream subjects are available. At Secondary level these include Hindi, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Economics, Business Studies and Accountancy. At Senior Secondary level they include English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Political Science, Economics, Business Studies, Accountancy and Psychology. ODES is the fastest fix if you failed one or two subjects and need a pass before a college or job deadline.
Is NIOS valid for college and jobs?
Yes. In a circular dated 29 September 2025, posted on nios.ac.in, AICTE reminded colleges that NIOS is recognised at par with CBSE, CISCE and state boards, and that NIOS certificates are valid for admission to all universities, engineering colleges and professional institutions. It directed AICTE-approved institutions to treat NIOS students who meet the eligibility criteria the same as students from other boards.
Once you have your Class 12, plan the next step. A distance degree such as Delhi University's is one option, and our DU SOL admission guide explains its Class 12 subject rules. To compare streams, see what to do after 12th arts, options after 12th commerce and the BSc courses list. Before you pay any university, confirm it on the UGC recognised universities list and make sure it is not on the UGC fake universities list.
Should you choose NIOS?
NIOS works well if you need flexibility: you set your own pace, the fee is low, and you can clear subjects over five years. It works less well if you need daily teaching, because study is mostly self-guided with assignments and a limited number of contact sessions at your study centre. If you are under 18 and choosing NIOS for a competitive exam, build a fixed study timetable from day one and check the two-year gap rule before you register for Class 12.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date for NIOS admission 2026-27?
For Stream 1 Block 2, the last date without late fee is 31 January 2027. You can still apply with a late fee of Rs 260, Rs 520 or Rs 910 until 15 March 2027. Block 1 closed on 15 September 2026.
What is the NIOS admission fee for Class 12?
Under Stream 1 the five-subject Senior Secondary fee is Rs 2,600 for male general learners, Rs 2,150 for female or third gender learners and Rs 1,690 for SC/ST, ex-servicemen and PwD learners, plus Rs 70 per online transaction. The exam fee is separate.
Can I take NIOS admission directly for Class 12?
Yes, if you are at least 15 and have passed Class 10 from a recognised board. Remember the two-year gap rule: without it, you can appear in only four subjects in your first exams.
Is NIOS equal to CBSE?
NIOS calls itself an examination board of the Government of India at par with CBSE and CISCE. AICTE's circular of 29 September 2025 confirms that NIOS certificates are valid for admission to universities and professional institutions.
How many subjects do I need to pass in NIOS?
Five subjects, including at least one and at most two languages, for both Class 10 and Class 12. You can take up to two additional subjects, so seven in all.
What is the NIOS on-demand exam?
It lets you take a subject exam when you are ready, at NIOS headquarters in Noida or KVS centres, in every month except April, May, October and November. Results come out in the last week of the following month.
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