F.A.Q

1. How different is NIOS from any other Institution for providing Education?

NIOS follows learner centric approach of teaching through Open and Distance mode. It offers a wide range of subjects in comparision to any other formal school. The learners are free to choose subject combination as per their needs and goals. The learners study at their own pace from specially designed self-instructional materials. This learning is supplemented by audio-video and face to face contact classes which are held at the study centres on holidays and weekends. The learners have freedom to appear in examination in their subjects one by one as per their preparation. There is a provision of credit accumulation. The registration of the learners is valid for the period of five years.

2. What are the Courses offered by NIOS?

NIOS offers the following courses:-

1. Open Basic Education 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
2. Secondary Course-Equivalent to class X
3. Sr. Secondary Course-Equivalent to class XII
4. Vocational Education Courses
5. Life Enrichment Programmes

3. Whether Secondary/Sr. Secondary School Certificates obtained from NIOS have the same recognition as other Boards?

Yes. The Secondary/Sr.Secondary certificate obtained form NIOS have the same recognition as certificates issued by other Boards. NIOS is vested with the authority to conduct Public Examinations at Secondary and Sr. Secondary level vide Govt. Of India's resolution dated 14 September 1990. NIOS thus act as another National Board.

4. Whether change of subject is possible after taking admission?

Yes. A learner can change one or more subjects or take one/two additional subjects during the admission period of five years, provided the total number of subjects does not exceed 7.

5. What is the choice of medium offered by the NIOS at the Secondary/Sr. Secondary Courses?

NIOS offers its courses mainly in English, Hindi and Urdu medium. At the Secondary levels, besides theses mediums, Telugu, Gujarati Malayalam and Marathi mediums are also available.

6. Whether a learner can write examination in any scheduled Regional Language?

Yes. A learner can write examination in any scheduled Regional Language though question paper will be bilingual i.e. in English and Hindi or available regional medium.

7. Whether subjects already cleared from any other Boars/IOS are allowed tot be transferred and credited at the NIOS Secondary/Sr. Secondary Courses?

NIOS provides the facility of "Transfer of Credit" to a maximum of 4 subjects from NIOS(Old Registration), if passed in 1995 or later and to a maximum of 2 subjects for CBSE /CICSE /UP Board of Secondary Education / Uttranchal Board of Examination / State Open Schools, if passed in 2000 orlater, provided these subjects are also available in NIOS programme.

8. Can certified learners appear for various Competitive Examinations?

They can. NIOS learners do appear and compete in various competitive examinations. However, the eligibility criteria, such as age, requirements of specific subjects, minimum percentage of marks and so on must be fulfilled by the learners.

9. Can a learner take Vocation subjects along with Secondary or Sr. Secondary Courses of NIOS?

Yes, in order to make NIOS courses more meaningful, vocational course are offered independently or in combination with academic subjects at Secondary and Sr. Secondary level.

10. From where should a learner get study materials?

Learners admitted should collect study materials from their respective AIs without any extra payment.

11. How much fee should should be paid for the study materials?

No extra fee is to be paid for the study materials. The admission fee deposited by a learner includes the cost of the study materials.

12. What is Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA)?

Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA) are meant to help you learn and be a successful learner. They provide you practice in writing answers to questions and get feedback. These assignments will therefore help you to monitor your progress in studies. These assignments are available in a separate booklet, which is provided to the learners through their AIs.

13. What will happen if TMAs are not submitted?and how many assignments are to be submitted for evaluation?

ABSENT will be marked in the marksheet in the column for grades of TMAs.

14. Where and how many assignments are to be submitted for evaluation?

There are three assignments in each subject containing 5 question. In your own interest, you should atrtempt all the asignments and submit to the Subject Teachers at your AI for evaluation. No weightage in the public examination for the TMA will be given. However, grades of TMA will be reflected on the Marksheet separately.

15. In which month NIOS holds its Secondary/Sr. Secondary Public Examinations?

The Public Examinations are held twice a year in the months of April-May and October-November on dates fixed by NIOS.

16. What should a learner do to perform better in NIOS public Examination?

To perform better in NIOS a learner must appear for examination only when he/she is well prepared in he subject. Learners should also attend Personal Contact Programme (PCP classes) regularly at the AI to solve/clear their doubts and problems that they have faced while studying the material on their own. Also, Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) should be taken seriously as these help in knowing one's progress and preparation. Time talble for the PCP classes is to be obtained from your AI.

17. Is it necessary to have a two years gap between passing of Secondary and Sr. Secondary Examination?

Yes, a two years gap is essential between passing of secondary and Sr. Secondary examination. If a learner does not have the requisite gap of two years, he/she can appear in maximum of four subjects only in the first year. He/she will be eligible to appear in remaining subjects only on completion of two years gap.

18. How do the learners find examination results?

Results are made available on our web site and at the AI. On successful completion of the course as per certification criteria, a learner is provided Marksheet, Migration Certificate and Provisional Certificate through AI.

19. How does a learner know about his/her examination centre and schedule of examination?

The schedule of examination is made available on the web site about a month before the commencement of examination. The information about the examination centre is made available through the AIs as well as from the NIOS Web site about a week before the commencement of examination. This information is also sent to the learners by post.