The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) offers a highly flexible education system designed to meet the needs of a diverse group of learners. To accommodate different student backgrounds and goals, NIOS has four distinct admission streams. Understanding which stream is right for you is the first and most important step in your NIOS journey.

Let’s break down the different streams and how they relate to the April-May and October-November exam cycles.

Stream 1: For New and Fresh Learners

This is the most common admission stream and is designed for students who are enrolling in NIOS for the first time. Stream 1 is divided into two blocks, each linked to a specific public exam cycle.

• Block 1: April-May Exams
  • Admission Period: The admission window for Block 1 typically runs from March 16th to September 15th of the previous year.
  • Who it’s for: This stream is for new students who want to appear for their first public exams in April-May of the following year. This is the standard path for fresh learners who have passed Class 8 (for Secondary) or Class 10 (for Senior Secondary) and are looking to complete their education with NIOS.
• Block 2: October-November Exams
  • Admission Period: The admission window for Block 2 generally starts from September 16th to March 15th of the following year.
  • Who it’s for: This is for new students who want to take their first public exams in October-November of the same year they enroll.

Stream 2: For Unsuccessful/Failed Board Exam Students

Stream 2 is specifically designed for students who have previously appeared for the Class 10 or Class 12 exams from another recognized board (like CBSE, ICSE, or a State Board) but were unsuccessful.

• Who it’s for: Students who failed their board exams or were eligible but unable to appear.
• Benefits: You can avail the Transfer of Credit (TOC) facility, which allows you to transfer marks for up to two subjects you have already passed in your previous board exam. This helps you save time and focus only on the subjects you need to clear.
• Exam Cycle: Learners admitted under Stream 2 are eligible to appear for the October-November public examinations of the same year, provided they meet the admission deadlines.

Stream 3 & 4: For On-Demand Examination (ODES)

These streams are dedicated to students who want to appear for exams through the On-Demand Examination System (ODES). This system offers the flexibility to take exams at your convenience, rather than waiting for the public exam cycles.

• Stream 3: This stream is for learners at the Secondary level (Class 10) who have either passed their previous board exams and want to take up to four subjects to improve their qualifications, or those who failed and want to reappear.
• Stream 4: This is for learners at the Senior Secondary level (Class 12) with a similar objective as Stream 3. They can take up to four subjects to improve their qualifications or appear for subjects they failed in.
• Important Note: Students admitted under Streams 3 and 4 are only eligible for the On-Demand Examinations. They are not allowed to appear in the regular public exams held in April-May and October-November.