National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is involved in providing open, flexible education to students in India. It operates at both secondary (Class 10) and senior secondary (Class 12) stages.
As a result of its broad, student-centered learning approach, this comes with its own unique grading system. It involves both written examination and practical assessment . And also combines this with continuous assessment through the use of Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs).
This system encourages mastering, there is less pressure across exams and progress can be tracked all the time. Unlike the standard percentage-based measurement, NIOS focuses on proportional, open grading systems.
This paper will dig in the NIOS method of grading, its structure, calculation techniques, comparison with other boards and advantages.
Contents
- What is NIOS Grading System?
- Objectives of NIOS Grading System
- NIOS Grading System Table
- NIOS Grading System Structure
- NIOS Grading Systems for Different Levels: Secondary vs Senior Secondary
- How Grades Are Calculated in NIOS
- NIOS vs Other Boards: Grading Comparison
- NIOS Grade Card vs Marks Card
- Passing Criteria in NIOS
- NIOS Result card and Certificate
- Benefits of the NIOS Grading System
- Conclusion
What is NIOS Grading System?
NIOS grading system uses the letter-scale of A to E. And, in addition, numeric Grade Point Averages (GPAs) which have a scale of 10.0 to 1.0.
As opposed to calculating raw scores, it uses weightages on the several assessment units like theory exams, practicals and TMAs. This cross-holistic model tries to assess core competencies, applied skills, and enduring interest.
Objectives of NIOS Grading System
NIOS has come up with amazing strategies on how to deliver education throughout students across India. And it is regardless of students personal and professional circumstances. So students must be aware of how to apply for NIOS admission online .
Well, to assess these children based on the exam conducted by NIOS, it follows a grading specification. The objectives of the NIOS grading system follows as:
1. Holistic Assessment
With the combination of theory, practice and TMAs, NIOS guarantees more thorough assessment. This represents how NIOS focuses on a holistic education .
2. Constant Student Involvement
TMAs are worth approximately 20 percent of total evaluation. They promote continuous studying behavior and introspection.
3. Reduced Stress
The students feel less pressurized because their performance evaluation is not based on final exams, but rather through a period of time. And also exam stress is reduced due to the facility of on-demand examination systems .
4. Comparability
Letter grades and GPA make it possible to conduct a systematized evaluation of grades and subjects, as well as academic semesters.
5. Learner Flexibility
NIOS facilitates learner based paths where re-examination and gradual growth is provided.
NIOS Grading System Table
Based on the 100-point scale (Theory + Practical + TMAs), final letter grades are assigned as provided in the table below.
| Grade | Percentage | Grade Point |
| A | 80-100% | 10.0 |
| B | 60-79% | 8.0 |
| C | 40-59% | 6.0 |
| D | 33-39% | 4.0 |
| E | 0-32% | 1.0 (Fail) |
NIOS Grading System Structure
NIOS conducts exams based on 3-structural components. This structure takes care of evaluating students holistically.
1. Theory Examination
- The mark assignment is done by formal written exams and these exams generally constitute 80 percent of the total of the subject.
- The weightage of the theory can be modified in those subjects where practicals are there to give practical marks.
2. Practical Examination
- Can be used in lab or clinical based subjects like Science, Home Science and Painting.
- Comprises 10-60 percent based on a subject. As an example, Practicals in Painting can have an in-take of 60 marks.
- NIOS Practicals can be divided into Formative Assessment (FA) and Summative Assessment (SA) , both of them being equally weighted NIOS.
3. Tutor Marked assignments (TMAs)
- The amount of marks it counts is approximately 20 percent.
- They are marked by the evaluators at AI/AVI centres so that there is accountability on the part of the learners.
- These activities are the points of constant checking, prior to the final test.
NIOS Grading Systems for Different Levels: Secondary vs Senior Secondary
The grades of Class 10 and Class 12 are the same. In order to pass, the students should have not less than Grade D (33% and above) in any subject.
In practical subjects there will be independent passing marks. In the theory and practical elements, non passing (Grade E) in that subject. The total GPA is awarded on all the subjects to get a cumulative performance index.
It is also crucial to mention that the NIOS age range starts from 14 years for secondary. And that for senior secondary, it’s above 15 years.
| NIOS Grading System | Class 10 | Class 12 |
| Passing Marks | Least 33% in aggregate (theory+practical) | 33% in individual theory and practicals |
| Separate passing criteria | No such criteria | Must pass theory and practicals independently |
| Age range difference | From 14 years and above | Above 15 years |
Now, let’s find out how to take admission in NIOS for 12th Class .
How Grades Are Calculated in NIOS
NIOS follows the following script to score their students based on the exams conducted in their respective study centres.
Steps:
- Individual Component Marks
- Theory marks: 80 maximum (scaled to subjects)
- TMAs: maximum 20
- Practicals (where appropriate): 10 to 60
- Apply Adjustments
Theory and TMA marks are weighted according to the weightage break. For example:
- Final Adjusted theory mark = 80 percent of total theory marks
- TMAs = 20 marks of total theory
- Practical marks are left as they are.
- Sum Components
- Maximum marks = Theory + TMA + Practical (all 100)
- Percentage and Grade
Transform total marks to percent; determine letter grade by using a grid.
- Derive GPA
The grades do point value to each subject (A:10, B:8, etc.).
GPA = the mean of the grade points of the subjects.
NIOS vs Other Boards: Grading Comparison
Though NIOS is placed the same as any other boards in India, its grading system is slightly different. Let’s understand these variations that display NIOS vs CBSE through a table.
| Feature | NIOS | CBSE/ICSE |
| Grading Format | A–E letter with GPA | A1–E/C–E letter, CGPA |
| Internal Assessment | TMAs (20%) | Minor/Major tests, projects |
| Practical Weightage | Varies (10–60%), separate passing required | Varies, but graded jointly |
| Passing Criterion | ≥33% per component, per subject | ≥33–35% overall |
| Retake Opportunities | On-demand exams, improvement cycles | Repeat exams, compartment exams |
NIOS believes in continuous evaluation and gradual changeover of grades, as do other conventional boards. But it is more flexible and with less high-stakes examination.
NIOS Grade Card vs Marks Card
NIOS has two different kinds of documents named marks card and grade card. A marks card is an official statement for individual marks obtained in each subject.
And the grade card is conspicuously marked (A-E) based on the marks obtained and GPA is further calculated.
Marks Card
Records scores of theory, practical and TMAs. It is helpful in colleges which need precise score breakdowns.
Grade Card
Displays letter grade, grade point and GPA. Perfect as a profile or comparisons in an academic setting and without attention to actual scores.
The students are able to retrieve both documents based on the need for higher education, scholarship application or employment verification.
Passing Criteria in NIOS
Each subject must include at least a pass of grade D (33%). A failure in any subject means Grade E and the student will have to retake such a subject in the following cycle.
In the case of practical subjects, there is a passing mark in both the theory and practical individually. NIOS also has On-Demand Exam System (ODES), in which the students can re-write subject-wise without any interval of biannual exam dates.
NIOS Result card and Certificate
Final Grade cards are released after students have passed all the subjects. After passing the Class 10, one gets the Secondary Certificate; clearing Class 12 leads to Senior Secondary Certificate.
Such are accepted by the Government of India, universities and numerous international institutions. It is both in Digital and Hard Copy, thus portable and convenient.
Re-Evaluation and Improvement
NIOS offers an opportunity for re-evaluation and improvements. Since, NIOS is for slow learners , so marks can always be improved. It is done by two primary methods, mentioned below:
- Re-Evaluation Application
Students should pay a nominal fee after results, and through the NIOS portal, they can print a re-evaluation form. Results of re-evaluation are announced in 30-45 days and grades are changed accordingly.
- Improvement application
Students who have attained the passing mark (but want better results) can enroll in re-exam over that subject in the next course. Only the best scores are maintained and shown on the new grade card and revised GPA.
Benefits of the NIOS Grading System
The following NIOS board benefits due to the grading system mentions as:
- Fair & Balanced Assessment by various appraisals
- TMA continuous feedback allows improving students during the course
- The flexibility of On-Demand Exams and means to improve
- Lesser Exam Stresses, as the whole evaluation is not based on a single exam
- Accreditation of skill-based education , such as in the practical subjects
- Convenient Comparison through grading and GPA
Conclusion
NIOS Grading System is a learner-tolerant, accommodative and an inclusive system of grading. It uses the same letter grades and GPA in theory, practicals and TMAs all meaning they are evaluated transparently.
The learners have a chance to redraw the tests, ask to be re-evaluated, and gradually grow stronger. There is a presence of a learner support system, learner friendly policies and credible credentials. This is why NIOS remains a very worthy option for the classrooms in India today.
