NIOS Scheme of Examinations 2025 | Complete Subject & Marks Guide

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) conducts Secondary (Class 10) and Senior Secondary (Class 12) examinations through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. The scheme of examinations defines the number of papers, maximum marks, and duration for each subject.

Secondary Examination:

• Students must choose at least one and a maximum of two languages from Group A. A third language can be taken as an additional subject.

• Group B subjects include Mathematics, Science & Technology, Social Science, Economics, Business Studies, Painting, Data Entry Operations, Psychology, Home Science, and others.

• Practical subjects such as Science, Home Science, Painting, Music, and Computer-related courses have both theory and practical components.

Senior Secondary Examination:

• Group A includes languages such as Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Urdu, Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi, Arabic, Persian, etc.

• Group B, C, D, E, and F include core academic and vocational subjects such as Mathematics, Home Science, Geography, Economics, Commerce, Political Science, Accountancy, Computer Science, Tourism, Physical Education, and others.

• Certain courses are clubbed together and held on the same day and time (like Computer Science, Sociology, Tourism, etc.).

The certificate mentions “Indian Knowledge Tradition” if a learner completes Sanskrit and related traditional subjects.

This flexible exam scheme allows students to customize their learning as per their interests and career goals.

FAQs

Q1. How many languages can I take in NIOS Secondary exams?
Ans: You can take a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2 languages from Group A. A third language can be added as an additional subject.

Q2. Does NIOS have practical exams?
Ans: Yes, subjects like Science, Home Science, Computer Science, Painting, and Music have both theory and practical components.

Q3. What is the maximum mark for NIOS subjects?
Ans: Most subjects carry 100 marks. Some practical-based subjects have a split of theory (40–85 marks) and practical (15–60 marks).

Q4. Are NIOS exams tougher than CBSE/ICSE?
Ans: NIOS follows the NCERT curriculum but provides flexibility in subject choice and exam attempts, making it student-friendly compared to traditional boards.

Q5. How many subjects do I need to pass in NIOS Secondary?
Ans: You need to pass in at least 5 subjects (including one language) to qualify for the Secondary Certificate.

For NIOS Guide Books, Solved Assignments, Previous Year Papers, Guess Papers, and Admission Help, visit www.pkkapri.com or WhatsApp us at 9643289714.