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How To Fill Up NIOS Exam Form- Easy Step-by-Step Guide For Students

Written ByAnkita Singha
Last Updated on26 Jul, 2025
Min Reading7 min read
How To Fill Up the NIOS Exam Form

Are you someone looking for how to fill out the NIOS or National Institute of Open Schooling exam form? 

Filling NIOS form without any mistake is a crucial step for each learner enrolled in secondary or senior secondary courses

Whether you are appearing for the first time as NIOS student, giving a reappearing for certain subjects or switching from another board to NIOS, exploring the right way of form-filling process is essential.

There are many learners and parents who find the online procedure a bit confusing due to technical steps, document uploads, and fee payments. Here, a detailed look on how to apply for NIOS admission online

But now you don’t need to worry because here you will get the simplified version of the process which guides you to fill the form accurately and confidently.

If you are a new candidate then understand how to take admission in nios for 12th class

In this guide, we will provide a detailed step-by-step procedure for filling up the NIOS exam form. Also, other essential information such as NIOS board benefits eligibility criteria, exam fee structure, required documents, and common mistakes to avoid.

Let’s dive in! 

How to Fill up the NIOS Exam Form

Filling out the NIOS exam form requires visiting the official NIOS website and navigating to the admissions or examination section. 

Students can fill up the NIOS exam form by registering online, providing personal and academic details, upload necessary documents and pay the required fees.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of each step to fill up the NIOS exam form:

  1. Visit the NIOS Website

Go to the official NIOS website or directly access the NIOS exam portal.

  1. Register or Login

If you are a new NIOS student, go to the register portal and complete the basic details to create your account.

If you already have an NIOS official account on the website make sure you have logged in using your username or enrollment number and password.

  1. Select the Exam Type and Session

After successfully completing log in, select the type of exam you are applying for: Public Exam in NIOS or On-Demand Exam (ODE). 

Then choose the correct session, such as April/May or in October/November. Remember, to select the session you want to give the exams both theory and practical

To know exam time and scheduling you must read how many times the NIOS exam is held in a year

  1. Fill the form

Then carefully fill in all the required details, including personal information, subjects and select your preferred exam center. Also, remember to fill in how many subjects are compulsory in NIOS 12th.

  1. Upload Documents

Upload all the scanned documents the form asked while filling the form. Don’t forget to recheck whether documents are clearly visible or not.

One can also explore how much time takes to verify documents after submission. 

  1. Pay the Fee

Complete the online process and pay NIOS exam fees. This can be done via a digital payment method easy to use. 

Are you applying for NIOS Stream 4? Here’s detailed info of fee structure for stream 4 Block 1.

  1. Keep a Copy of the Undertaking

After successful payment, keep a copy of the undertaking. Also, you will receive a reference number. Keep this number safe for future reference. 

  1. Track the Process

Then track the status of your application on the NIOS website using the reference number. At last print out the admit card later. 

Eligibility Criteria to Fill the NIOS Exam Form 

NIOS is a recognized board and has a set of structures. To appear in the NIOS exams, students must fulfill the following eligibility conditions:

  • Age Limit

For Secondary Course or Class 10 one should Minimum 14 years old as on 31st July of the year of admission. 

And eligibility criteria for Class 12 or Senior Secondary the Minimum 15 years old as on 31st July of the year of admission. There is no upper age limit for either course. 

  • Educational Qualification

Individuals applying for NIOS exam should have passed Class 8 from a recognized board to enrol in Class 10.

Those students who are applying for Class 12 must have passed the Class 10 examination from a recognized board such as State Boards, CBSE, ICSE or NIOS. 

You can also go through an important comparison between NIOS vs CBSE

  • Transfer of Credit (TOC)

Learners previously enrolled in other boards but did not pass Class 12 can go for NIOS with Transfer of Credit (TOC)

However, it is only applicable when they provide the original failure or compartment mark sheet of the previous board. 

When to Fill the NIOS Exam Form?

As per the NIOS, exam forms are announced in this year for October/November 2025 and can be filled out during specific periods. 

There are different types of streams in NIOS. It depends on which block or stream you are enrolled in. The timeline usually looks like this: 

For the April/May 2026 Exams (Block 1)

  • Registration typically opens around March 16.
  • The last date to register without a late fee is typically July 31. Don’t forget to check the NIOS admission last date
  • Late fees may apply for registrations between August 1 and August 31. 

For the October/November 2025 Exams (Block 2)

  • Registration without late fees typically happens between July 15 and July 28.
  • Late fees may apply for registrations between July 29 and August 11. 

Documents Required for NIOS Exam Form

To fill out an NIOS exam form, learners need to give some important documents for verification and registration. Here’s a more detailed information:

  • Identity Proof 

Aadhaar card, passport, ration card, or other valid photo ID are required to proceed.

  • Photograph and Signature

passport-sized color photograph recently clicked with signature. 

  • Subject Code List

Previous academic qualifications such as Class 8th Marksheet if you are applying for Secondary course and Class 10th Marksheet for Senior Secondary course. 

  • Previous Mark Sheet (for reappearing candidates)

For reappear or TOC candidates previous mark sheets are required. Look for solutions if I fail in one subject in NIOS

  • Disability Certificate (if applicable)

If a candidate is dealing with any disability, they need to provide a disability certificate. 

NIOS Exam Fee Structure 

There are many reasons to choose the National Institute of Open Schooling. One simple reason is its fee structure for examinations. The board notified each detail on the official website

For both Secondary and Senior Secondary levels, the exam fee is Rs. 500 per theory subject and an additional Rs. 200 per practical subject

Let’s elaborate the key details: 

  • On-Demand Exams

The fee structure for on-demand exams includes: 

  • Rs. 500 per Theory Subject and
  • Rs. 200 per Practical Subject. 
  • Online Admission

In case of online admissions under Stream 3 (Secondary) and Stream 4 (Senior Secondary), the registration fee is Rs. 620 per subject, and the exam fee is Rs. 500 per theory subject and Rs. 200 per practical subject

If you are searching for stream 1 block 1 in NIOS or stream 1 block 2 in NIOS must visit these blogs. 

  • Additional Fees

For each online transaction, an additional Rs. 50 is charged. 

  • Payment Methods

Fees can be paid via net banking, credit/debit cards, or UPI. 

  • No Refunds

As per NIOS guidelines, once the NIOS exam fee is paid by the candidate, it is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted in the next attempt. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid to Fill the NIOS Exam Form

While filling the NIOS exam form, learners need to avoid common mistakes like incorrect spelling of names and addresses, inaccurate subject codes, and choosing the wrong exam center. 

Ensure all details are accurate, especially personal information and date of birth etc all of them will reflect on your certificate. Re-check each box before submitting to prevent delays or rejection. 

Some common mistakes to avoid to fill the NIOS exam form includes: 

  • Personal Information

Mistakes related to personal information like name, date of birth, and address should be accurate. Also, add supporting documents to prevent issues with document verification and exam eligibility.

Learners should re-check all information before submission to avoid any kind of delays or complications later. 

  • Subject and Exam Details

One of the common mistakes mostly in subject selection and fee payment can be problematic. 

So, choose subjects based on your interests and future academic goals, check other information like name, date of birth, and address, and verify the correct fee amount before submission. 

  • Submission and Payment

Individuals by mistake filled incorrect personal details, incomplete or incorrect document uploads, and submitting multiple applications is challenging. 

Pay the correct fees and download the application form after submission. 

Remember, do not refresh the page during payment and take a screenshot or save the payment receipt. One should always wait for the final confirmation screen

  • Not Checking for Confirmation

One of the major mistakes learners need to avoid while filling the NIOS exam form is not checking admission status in NIOS by the official website. 

Login again after 24 to 48 hours to confirm status, download the confirmation page or acknowledgment receipt. Also, keep tracking updates about hall ticket release. 

Conclusion

The NIOS exam is an overwhelming journey for kids, especially those who are giving for the first time. It needs patience, focus and confidence

However, filling the form correctly should be the first priority for learners. By implementing the mentioned step one can walk toward appearing for your exams successfully. 

The process is now completely online which makes it both convenient and fast. However, it also requires attention to detail while filling.

However, after reading the effective steps you can ensure that your application is completed without errors or delays. Keep your documents ready, stay updated on deadlines and always double-check every detail before submission.

Whether you are a first-time learner, a reappearing candidate or someone using TOC, all the details mentioned will help you navigate the NIOS exam form process with confidence. 
So it’s time to go ahead and start with logging into the portal, filling up the form, and taking the next steps in your career. Its easy to avail the benefits of a government job after NIOS, acceptance of NIOS in IIT or eligibility for JEE after NIOS in future.

FAQs

Yes, individuals enrolled under NIOS can apply for National Institute of Open Schooling exams by themselves. The board provides online admission by allowing you to register directly through their website. 

 

In the portal each candidate has the option to register online independently. You can also seek assistance from a NIOS study center (AI). Or visit a regional center for help with online registration.

For this year the last date to fill the National Institute of Open Schooling form for the April 2026 session without a late fee is July 31, 2025. After this date, late fees will be applicable for registration.

Yes, a student who has failed their 12th standard exams can apply for the National Institute of Open Schooling. 

 

As per guidelines by NIOS, it offers a Stream 2 in which learners who haven’t passed their 12th exams from other boards. Here, they can apply to reappear for the particular failed subjects and potentially pass the 12th standard exams through NIOS without any obstacle.

Yes, NIOS follows the National Curriculum Framework established by NCERT, meaning that NIOS curricula are aligned with NCERT guidelines. 

 

However, the board develops its own textbooks which are based on the NCF and cover the same subjects and concepts.

Yes, it is possible to repeat the 12th grade through the NIOS even if you have already passed it from another board like CBSE. It also gives flexibility where learners can choose the same subjects or change their subject combination.

Ankita Singha

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I, Ankita Singha is a passionate content writer at 21kschool with 1.5 years of experience in crafting engaging digital content in different domains. With a talent for storytelling and visual expression, I blend creativity and strategy seamlessly. Outside of work, I enjoy crafting new things, calligraphy, and dancing.

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