The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), previously known as the National Open School (NOS), was founded in November 1989 as an independent organization under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in line with the National Policy on Education 1986. NIOS offers a variety of programs including vocational, life skills, and community-based courses, in addition to general academic courses at both the secondary and senior secondary levels. It also provides foundational education through its Open Basic Education (OBE) initiatives. As per a government gazette notification, NIOS has the official authority to conduct examinations and grant certification for learners enrolled in its academic, vocational, or technical programs up to the pre-degree level. Furthermore, the Association of Indian Universities, through letter No. EV/11(354)/91/25 dated July 1991, has recognized the Senior Secondary Certificate issued by NIOS as equivalent to other senior secondary qualifications.
Overview of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), often referred to as the “Open School,” serves a diverse group of learners up to the pre-degree level. Initiated in 1979 as a flexible educational project under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), it evolved significantly over the years. The 1986 National Policy on Education emphasized expanding open learning systems nationwide, leading to the establishment of the National Open School (NOS) by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in November 1989. The CBSE’s initial project was integrated into NOS, and by September 1990, NOS gained the authority to enroll, assess, and certify students for pre-degree courses, as formalized through a government resolution.
In July 2002, NOS was renamed the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), reflecting its mission to deliver accessible education through an open learning framework. NIOS aims to contribute to universal education, promote social equity, and foster a learning-oriented society, aligning with national education policies and addressing community needs.
What Does NIOS Offer?
NIOS provides a range of educational programs through its open and distance learning (ODL) system, catering to varied learner needs:
Open Basic Education (OBE) Program: Designed for individuals aged 14 and above, offering education equivalent to grades III, V, and VIII of traditional schools, targeting children, neo-literates, school dropouts, and non-formal education completers.
Secondary and Senior Secondary Education: Flexible courses allowing learners to choose subjects, set their learning pace, and transfer credits from CBSE, select state boards, or state open schools. Learners have up to nine attempts over five years to pass exams, with credits accumulated until certification.
Vocational Education Programs: Covering fields like agriculture, business, engineering, health, IT, and hospitality, these programs emphasize practical training and entrepreneurship skills, often in collaboration with industry partners.
Life Enrichment Programs: Focused on holistic development and lifelong learning.
NIOS supports its OBE program through partnerships with approximately 853 agencies, providing study centers, curriculum resources, training, and joint certification. Its secondary and senior secondary programs offer 28 subjects in multiple languages, including Hindi, English, Urdu, and regional languages, with an On-Demand Examination System (ODES) for flexible testing. Study materials are available in English, Hindi, and Urdu, supplemented by audio-video resources, personal contact programs, tutor-marked assignments, and a biannual magazine, Open Learning.
The vocational programs align with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF-2005) and emphasize skill development through a strategic framework for open and distance learning. NIOS collaborates with industries and educational organizations to enhance these offerings, prioritizing first-generation learners, differently-abled individuals, and marginalized communities.
How Does NIOS Operate?
NIOS functions through an extensive network comprising five departments, 23 regional centers, two sub-regional centers, two dedicated NIOS cells, and over 7,400 study centers (Accredited Institutions and Accredited Vocational Institutions) across India and abroad. With a cumulative enrollment of 4.13 million over the past five years, NIOS stands as the world’s largest open schooling system, delivering flexible, inclusive education to a broad learner base.