NIOS Class 10 Registration 2026 (October Session): Dates, Fees & On-Demand Exam

NIOS Class 10 registration 2026 for the October session was conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) through its official admission and examination portals till August 31, 2026. The October–November 2026 public examination is the second NIOS Secondary examination cycle of the year. The October 2026 NIOS Class 10 theory examination is scheduled from October 22 to December 7, 2026. NIOS Class 10 registration 2026 involves two separate processes: admission registration and examination-fee registration. A new student cannot appear in the October 2026 exam only by filling an exam form; admission must be confirmed first. The NIOS admission portal is for fresh admissions, while enrolled learners use the NIOS login and examination-fee page at sdmis.nios.ac.in to register for the public exam.

• For fresh admission, NIOS Stream 1 Block 2 is the relevant route for learners planning the subsequent examination cycle; Stream 2 is mainly for learners who have failed or want to improve subjects in the current cycle.
• The NIOS Class 10 registration 2026 last date was August 31, 2026.
• The official NIOS admission portal and student login are available at sdmis.nios.ac.in.
• NIOS Class 10 registration 2026 fees for the October 2026 exam is INR 300 per subject for theory, with an additional INR 150 per subject for subjects involving practicals, along with an INR 50 online processing fee.
• Applicants should keep scanned photographs, signatures, identity proof, address proof and previous academic records ready before starting the NIOS online admission process.

NIOS Class 10 Registration 2026 Dates

NIOS Class 10 registration 2026 dates for the October–November 2026 public examination were from May 21, 2026 to August 31, 2026. NIOS exam dates 2026 Class 10 are from October 22 to December 7, 2026.

Is NIOS 10th Admission 2026 Open?

Yes, NIOS Class 10 admission is open. Admissions for Block 2 opened on September 16, 2026, and run through January 31, 2027, without a late fee (with late fees applying from February to March 2027). Students in Block 2 appear for exams in October/November 2027. On-Demand Examinations (ODL) and registrations also remain available year-round or through designated monthly windows via the portal. Candidates can submit their application online through the official NIOS Student Portal (SDMIS).

Can I Apply for NIOS Anytime?

No, students cannot apply for NIOS Class 10 exam 2026 admission anytime. NIOS follows a block-wise admission schedule, and each stream has fixed opening and closing dates. For fresh NIOS Class 10 admission, Stream 1 is divided into Block 1 and Block 2. Stream 1 Block 1 generally supports the April examination cycle, while Stream 1 Block 2 supports the October examination cycle. NIOS may charge a late fee if admission is completed after the normal window.

Can 10th Fail Apply for NIOS?

Yes, a Class 10 fail student can apply for NIOS. NIOS Stream 2 is specifically designed for learners who have failed in one or more subjects of Class 10 or Class 12 from a recognized board and want to appear in the NIOS public examination. A Class 10 fail candidate does not need to repeat the entire academic year in a regular school. Under NIOS Stream 2, the learner can register for the required subjects, pay the per-subject fee and appear in the October–November 2026 public examination, subject to eligibility and document verification.

• NIOS Stream 2 allows part admission in selected subjects.
• The Stream 2 registration fee is INR 620 per subject.
• The Stream 2 theory examination fee is INR 250 per subject, with an additional INR 120 per practical subject.
• Transfer of Credit, or TOC, is available at INR 230 per subject, subject to NIOS rules.
• The online application charge for Stream 2 is INR 50.

NIOS Class 10 Registration 2026 Apply Online

NIOS Class 10 registration 2026 process is completed through the official NIOS admission portal for fresh admission and through the examination-fee portal for enrolled learners. New applicants must first take admission; only after admission confirmation can they register for a public examination by paying the exam fee.

For the October 2026 exam, already enrolled learners had to visit sdmis.nios.ac.in, enter their 12-digit enrolment number, verify their details and pay the examination fee online. The portal clearly states that the October 2026 Secondary and Senior Secondary examination fee must be paid only through online mode. The steps to register for NIOS Class 10 admission 2026 are as follows:

1. Visit the official NIOS admission portal at sdmis.nios.ac.in.
2. Select the Secondary Course and the applicable admission stream.
3. Create an NIOS login using a valid mobile number and email address.
4. Fill in personal details, address, educational background and subject preferences.
5. Choose a minimum of five subjects as per the NIOS Secondary scheme of studies.
6. Upload the required photograph, signature and supporting documents.
7. Pay the admission fee and online application charge through the available online payment modes.
8. Submit the application and download the acknowledgement or registration confirmation.
9. Track the admission status using the NIOS login and respond to any verification request.

For learners already admitted to NIOS Class 10, the October exam registration steps are:

1. Open the NIOS examination-fee registration page at sdmis.nios.ac.in/registration/exam.
2. Enter the 12-digit NIOS enrolment number.
3. Check the enrolled subjects and examination eligibility.
4. Select the subjects for the October–November 2026 public examination.
5. Pay the applicable theory and practical examination fee online.
6. Save the payment receipt and registration confirmation for future reference.

NIOS Class 10 Registration 2026 Fees

NIOS Class 10 registration 2026 fees depend on the admission stream, number of subjects, learner category and whether the application is submitted within the normal window. For the October–November 2026 public examination, the standard examination fee for Secondary learners was INR 300 per theory subject, with an additional INR 150 for each practical subject. NIOS also allowed late payment with a consolidated late fee of INR 1,600 during the reopened window.

For the Secondary course under Stream 1, NIOS charges INR 2,340 for five subjects for male applicants, INR 1,890 for female applicants, and INR 1,560 for SC, ST, ex-servicemen and differently abled applicants. An additional subject costs INR 940, and the online application form costs INR 70.

Is NIOS Cheaper than CBSE?

Yes, NIOS is generally cheaper than CBSE for many learners, especially those who need flexible schooling or want to appear only in selected subjects. NIOS Stream 1 Secondary admission starts at INR 1,560 for eligible concession categories and INR 1,890 for female applicants, while the male applicant fee for five subjects is INR 2,340.

However, the final fee depends on the number of subjects, practical subjects, late fees, study-material choices and examination fees. CBSE fees vary by school, location, laboratory charges and other school-level expenses, so a direct comparison should consider the total annual cost rather than tuition alone. NIOS admission fee also does not include the examination fee, which must be paid separately.

What Documents are Required for NIOS 10th Admission 2026?

NIOS Class 10 admission 2026 requires scanned copies of specific identity, age, address, and academic documents of the candidates. For fresh Secondary admission, NIOS generally accepts proof of Class 8 passing or a self-certificate of basic literacy, depending on the applicant’s eligibility route. Stream 2 applicants must provide their previous board’s marksheet or relevant failure/improvement records.

NIOS Class 10 Online Admission 2026

NIOS Class 10 Online Admission 2026 is the official process through which students can enrol in the NIOS Secondary Course without attending a regular school. The admission is completed online through the NIOS admission portal, and learners can choose subjects according to the NIOS Secondary scheme of studies. The Secondary course is equivalent to Class 10, and learners must pass at least five subjects, including one or maximum two languages from Group A and the remaining subjects from Group B, to obtain the pass certificate. Students can choose up to two additional subjects, taking the total number of subjects to a maximum of seven.

The NIOS Class 10 Online Admission 2026 process is open to eligible learners who want a flexible route to complete Class 10. Fresh applicants generally apply under Stream 1, while learners who have failed or want to improve subjects in Class 10 can apply under Stream 2, subject to NIOS eligibility rules and registration dates.

• NIOS Class 10 admission is conducted online through the official NIOS portal at sdmis.nios.ac.in.
• Fresh learners can apply under Stream 1, while Class 10 fail or improvement candidates can apply under Stream 2.
• To obtain the NIOS Class 10 pass certificate, a learner must pass at least five subjects.
• Learners must choose one or two languages from Group A and the remaining subjects from Group B.
• NIOS allows students to select up to two additional subjects, taking the total number of subjects to a maximum of seven.
• The Stream 1 admission fee is INR 2,340 for male applicants, INR 1,890 for female applicants, and INR 1,560 for eligible SC, ST, ex-servicemen and differently abled applicants for five subjects.
• An additional subject under Stream 1 costs INR 940, while the online application charge is INR 70.
• Stream 2 registration costs INR 620 per subject, with an additional INR 250 theory examination fee per subject.

NIOS On Demand Registration 2026

NIOS On Demand Registration 2026 allows already enrolled NIOS learners to appear in the Secondary, or Class 10, examination when they feel prepared, instead of waiting for the April or October public examination. The On Demand Examination System, or ODES, is available only to existing NIOS learners and is based on the current Secondary syllabus. The registration is completed online through the official NIOS ODES registration page, followed by payment of the prescribed per-subject fee and submission of the application as per the selected examination centre.

• NIOS On Demand Examination is available only for existing NIOS learners; it is not an admission route for new students.
• The Class 10 On Demand Examination follows the new Secondary syllabus.
• The examination fee is INR 600 per subject for Secondary and Senior Secondary learners.
• An additional INR 250 per subject applies to subjects involving practical work.
• NIOS does not conduct On Demand Examinations during the public-examination months of April–May and October–November.

Can I Give NIOS On-Demand Exam Anytime?

No, students cannot give the NIOS On-Demand Examination on any date of their choice. The exam is flexible, but NIOS conducts it only on scheduled ODES days and at approved On Demand Examination Centres. For NIOS Class 10, learners can choose an available exam date and centre during the active ODES window. However, they cannot book an exam during April–May or October–November, when NIOS conducts its public examinations. Students should also remember that ODES registration is only for learners already admitted to NIOS. A candidate who has not completed NIOS Class 10 admission must first enrol through the regular admission process before becoming eligible for the On Demand Examination.

How to Register for NIOS On-Demand Examination 2026?

NIOS On Demand Examination registration 2026 for Class 10 is completed online by existing learners through the official NIOS ODES registration page. The process includes selecting the examination centre, choosing subjects, paying the fee and submitting the application form. The steps to register for the NIOS On Demand Examination 2026 are as follows:

1. Visit the official NIOS On Demand Examination registration page at nios.ac.in.
2. Log in using the existing NIOS enrolment number and learner details.
3. Select the Secondary Course and choose the preferred On Demand Examination Centre.
4. Check the available examination dates and subject-wise seat availability.
5. Select the Class 10 subjects in which the learner wants to appear.
6. Pay INR 600 per subject online; add INR 250 per practical subject, if applicable.
7. Review the application summary and payment details carefully.
8. Submit the application form as per the procedure for the selected examination centre.
9. Download and retain the payment receipt and application confirmation for future reference.

Note: Students should register only after completing the relevant course material and checking the syllabus. Since the NIOS Class 10 On Demand Examination is based on the new Secondary syllabus, learners should prepare from the latest NIOS study material and sample question papers.

NIOS Class 10 Registration 2026 FAQs