The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has opened its registration and fee payment window for the 10th and 12th grade examinations scheduled for March-April 2026. Students planning to appear for these public exams must complete their application process online at the official NIOS website, sdmis.nios.ac.in . The initial deadline to register without incurring any late fees is December 20, 2025 .
NIOS offers flexible learning opportunities for students across India. Its secondary (10th grade) and senior secondary (12th grade) certificates are recognized for higher education and employment, similar to those from other national boards. This announcement provides a clear timeline for eligible students to secure their spot for the upcoming examination cycle.
Registration Deadlines and Late Fees
The NIOS Board has established a strict fee submission schedule. Adhering to these deadlines is crucial for students to manage costs and ensure their eligibility for the March-April 2026 examinations.
| Period | Late Fee | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| November 21, 2025 – December 20, 2025 | None | For all eligible learners completing initial registration or fee payment. |
| December 21, 2025 – December 31, 2025 | Rs. 150/- per subject | Applies to all eligible learners who register or pay fees during this period. |
| January 01, 2026 – January 10, 2026 | Rs. 1600/- per learner (consolidated) | Final window for all eligible learners, incurring a significant consolidated late fee. |
Students missing the initial deadline will face additional charges. The consolidated late fee in January represents a substantial increase in the overall cost for taking the examinations.
Examination Fee Structure
The standard examination fees are applied per subject. Students taking subjects that include a practical component must pay an additional charge.
| Fee Component | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Per Subject Fee (Theory) | Rs. 300/- | Standard fee for each theoretical subject registered. |
| Additional Practical Fee | Rs. 150/- per subject | Mandatory for subjects that include a practical examination component. |
These fees must be paid online at the time of registration to finalize the application process.
Who Can Register
The current registration window targets specific categories of students eligible for the upcoming exams:
- Learners officially enrolled in Stream-I, Block-I for the March-April 2026 Examination cycle.
- Eligible learners who have previously registered for NIOS examinations and were due to appear in public examinations prior to the September/October 2025 cycle. This includes students seeking to improve their grades or those who did not clear previous attempts.
How to Apply
The entire registration and fee payment process occurs online through the NIOS Student Portal. Students should follow these steps:
- Go to the official NIOS website: sdmis.nios.ac.in .
- Navigate to the “Exam/Result” section or look for prominent links related to “April 2026 Exam Registration” or “Fee Payment.”
- Log in using your enrollment number and other credentials.
- Select the subjects for which you wish to appear.
- Proceed to the fee payment gateway and complete the transaction using available online payment methods.
- Download and save the payment receipt for future reference.
Timely completion of these steps confirms a student’s eligibility to sit for the examinations.
Important Reminders
Students must prioritize completing their registration and fee payment well before the first deadline of December 20, 2025 . This ensures they avoid any late fees and potential complications that could arise from last-minute submissions. The NIOS Board strictly enforces its published schedule for all examination-related activities.