Online School for Homeschoolers & Competitive Exam Prep

NIOS

NIOS, a recognised board of India, has been operating operates under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. It is recognised for all competitive exams in India. It gives an option of a flexible education, especially for students who don’t want to attend schools regularly, and want to spend most of their time on studying and preparing for competitive exams Especially if you are preparing for IIT JEE or NEET for admission to IITs and other Engineering colleges and AIIMS or other medical colleges, NIOS works best for you NIOS curriculum has therefore increased in demand and it provides knowledge and skills as well as it is accepted for all competitive exams in India.

Examination Pattern
An overview of the NIOS exam structure, including the number of questions, types of questions (multiple-choice and numerical), marking scheme, and duration of the exam. This helps students understand the format and allocate their time efficiently during the exam.
Recommended Books
A curated list of essential books for NIOS preparation across Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics ,English which will guide students to better understanding of concepts

Book My Demo Class

Please enter your mobile number.

Best Sellers

/assets/images/testseries/jee-main-2026-cover-v1.webp

JEE (Main) Test Series 2026 ( 2 year)

₹4,999₹29,999

/assets/images/testseries/jee-main-2025-cover-v1.webp

JEE (Main) Test Series 2025 ( 1 Year)

₹1,999₹19,999

/assets/images/testseries/jee-advanced-2025-cover-v1.webp

JEE (Advanced) Test Series 2025 (1 Year)

₹2,999₹19,999

Popular Tags

PracBee

IIT-JEE

JEE Main colleges

JEE MAIN 2025

Customizable Practice Tests

JEE

JEE/NEET

NEET

Quick Practice Test

JEE Advanced

CBSE

JEE online coaching

JEE Aspirants

JEE online

JEE Exam Preparation

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should take Admission in NIOS?

All students who want flexibility in their school studies while preparing for JEE/NEET/Other Competitive Exams. Especially students who want to have less time devoted to school study and use most of their time on competitive exams.
Also these students also find it better to study with NIOS since it is more flexible and does not require travel - Students who are into Sports, Music and Arts.
Students with Special Needs (Divyang Students).
Students who need flexibility in subject choices.
Students who picked the wrong subjects in Class 11th and 12th previously and want to switch subjects to get into Engineering or Medical college.
Students who don’t have enough time for CBSE, ICSE and other State Boards exams and preparation.
Students with a study gap

Is NIOS better than Dummy Schools?

CBSE board has become strict with dummy schools and recently closed a lot of schools.So it is risky to join dummy schools for new students.
Also Dummy schools don’t help you with Board exam preparation at all.
Considering that 75% criteria is important in JEE exam qualification and even NEET has a score criteria for Board exams, it is extremely important to score marks in Board exams.So it makes much more sense to go for NIOS, which has gained popularity in the last 4 years. Since it is officially recognized yet flexible.
Pracbee in its NIOS course ensures you are thoroughly prepared for your Board exams.Therefore to study for the Board exam, NIOS is much better since we hold separate structured classes for it and even question paper is easier than that of CBSE.

What is Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)?

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is an educational organisation which imparts education through Open and Distance Learning Mode and also conducts examinations for grant of certificates upto pre-degree level at par with other National Boards viz. the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE).

What is Open and Distance Learning system?

Open and Distance learning (ODL) is an innovative approach of providing opportunity of learning through Self Learning Material (SLM) and certain other strategies in a flexible manner at the pace of learners. In this mode, the learner is also provided academic support in the form of PCP and TMA in addition to SLM.

PCP-Personal contact programme
TMA-Tutor marked assignment
SLS- Self learning material

What is the difference between Open Schooling and Regular Schooling?

Regular Schooling is a traditional method of face to face learning in a formal set-up of class room situation with a rigid time-table; whereas Open Schooling is a flexible method of providing self learning and its evaluation to a learner according to his/her own schedule. The Open learning system is very helpful to learners who could not avail the facility of formal schooling on account of economic, social or geographical considerations or they want to continue their study while working in some gainful employment.

What are the Courses offered by NIOS?

NIOS offers the following programmes /courses:- Open Basic Education (OBE) Programme, which includes following three levels courses:

OBE 'A' Level Course -Equivalent to class III.
OBE 'B' Level Course -Equivalent to class V
OBE 'C' Level Course -Equivalent to class VIII
Secondary Course-Equivalent to class X. (Academic Courses)
Senior Secondary Course-Equivalent to class XII.(Academic Courses)
Life Enrichment Programmes (Vocational Education Courses)

Whether Secondary/Senior Secondary School Certificates obtained from NIOS have the same recognition as of other Boards?

Yes. The Secondary/Senior Secondary certificates obtained from NIOS have the same recognition as certificates issued by other Boards. NIOS is vested with the authority to conduct Public Examinations at Secondary and Senior Secondary level vide Govt. of India's resolution dated 14 September 1990. Further, all the Boards either National or State including NIOS are following the National Curriculum Framework (2005). Thus, the Secondary and the Senior Secondary Certificates of NIOS are equivalent and at par to the Secondary and the Senior Secondary Certificate of other Boards.

Whether a candidate passing the Senior Secondary examination from NIOS is eligible for admission in Universities and Professional Colleges?

NIOS learners are eligible to seek admission in any university and professional college if otherwise fulfilling the eligibility criteria of that particular university/professional college.

What is the procedure for taking admission in NIOS?

NIOS has introduced 100% On-line admission at the Secondary and the Senior Secondary level in order to facilitate learners in registering themselves with it. Under this scheme, learners have three options:

They can register themselves on-line directly by visiting the website of NIOS i.e., https://www.nios.ac.in/
They may visit their nearest AI (Study Centre)/Facilitation Centre and take their help for On-line registration.
They may visit their Regional Centres and take their help for on line registration.
Candidates can also use the Services of Common Services Centres of Govt. of India for On-line registration throughout the Country.

What are the subjects available for the Senior Secondary Course (ClassXII)?

Hindi, English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Political Science, Bengali, Tamil, Urdu, Sanskrit, Economics, Business Studies, Accountancy, Home Science, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Painting, Environmental Science, Mass Communication, Data Entry Operations. In this regard, please check the latest Academic Prospectus.

What is the instructional process in NIOS?

The instructional process comprises of using self-instructional print materials, listening and viewing audio and video programmes, attending Personal Contract Programmes(PCPs) at the Study Centre, interaction through Web-radio i.e. Mukta Vidya Vani, and doing Tutor Marked Assignments(TMA) etc.

How many contact sessions do learners get?

Maximum of 30 Personal Contact Programme (PCP) sessions as per NIOS norms are organized per subject for theory and 5 additional practical sessions for a subject having practical on face to face basis, generally on weekends and holidays, in the first year of admission, by AIs (Study Centres). Guidelines in this regard are also hosted on website.

What is Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)?

Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA) are meant to help learners as they provide practice in writing answers to questions and get feedback. It is a kind of open book exams. Leaner has unlimited time to provide answer. Guidelines in this regard are also hosted on website.

How many times is the NIOS exam held in a year?

The Public Examinations are held twice in the months of April-May and October-November on dates fixed by the NIOS. However, you are also eligible to appear through On Demand Examination at Secondary Level and Senior Secondary level in those subjects only in which you have admission in NIOS.

Can NIOS students give Olympiad exams?

Yes, you can apply for OLYMPIAD exams with NIOS.

Eligibility: Students in classes 1-12 are eligible for the first level of the National Science Olympiad (NSO). The top 5% of students in each class, the top 25 students in each zone, and the class toppers from each participating school are eligible for the second level.
Registration: Students can register for Olympiads through their school or by visiting the Olympiad's website.
Multiple Olympiads: Students can take more than one Olympiad exam.

What assignments are there for NIOS students and when they have to submit?

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) class 12 students have to submit a Tutor Mark Assignment (TMA) for each subject. The TMA is available for download on the NIOS student portal. Here are some things to know about the TMA:

Submission schedule: The TMA schedule for the 2023-24 session is as follows:
Submission: TMAs must be submitted online only. You can submit them on the NIOS student portal at sdmis.nios.ac.in.
Late fee: There is a late fee of Rs 1500 per subject for late submission.
Weightage: The TMA carries 30% weightage of the theory part in the external examination.
Format: You should complete the assignment in your own handwriting on one-sided lined paper.
Submission receipt: You should take a receipt of submission from your teacher.
Submission at the Regional Centre: If your Study Centre is closed, you can submit the TMA at the Regional Centre in your area.

Students in class 12 at NIOS must take a minimum of five subjects, including one or two languages.

Can a student enroll for CBSE and NIOS at the same time?

Yes, student can enroll for both board simultaneously as CBSE is a regular board and NIOS is a correspondent board. So technically there is no problem.

FAQ - Online School for Homeschoolers & Competitive Exam Prep | India