NIOS admission fees for Class 10 and Class 12
What NIOS charges for full-course admission in the 2026–27 session (Stream-1), how your category changes the amount, and what the admission fee does not cover.
Figures checked on against the NIOS Prospectus 2026–27 and the NIOS fee page. NIOS can revise fees.
Stream-1 fees in brief
- Session
- 2026–27, Stream-1 (full course)
- Class 10, 5 subjects
- ₹1,560 – ₹2,340
- Class 12, 5 subjects
- ₹1,690 – ₹2,600
- Each extra subject
- ₹940
- Exam fee
- Paid separately
NIOS admission fee 2026–27: the short answer
For full-course admission under Stream-1 in the 2026–27 session, NIOS charges a fixed fee for five subjects. The amount depends on the course and on your category:
- Class 10 (Secondary): ₹2,340 for male learners, ₹1,890 for female or third-gender learners, and ₹1,560 for SC/ST learners, ex-servicemen and persons with disabilities.
- Class 12 (Senior Secondary): ₹2,600, ₹2,150 and ₹1,690 for the same three groups.
- Each subject beyond five costs ₹940, whatever your category.
- NIOS adds ₹70 for the online transaction, and the examination fee is paid separately later.
Stream-1 admission fee table, 2026–27
This is NIOS's Table-4 for online admission under Stream-1, which is the stream for the full Class 10 or Class 12 course. Amounts are in rupees and are the fees without any late fee.
| Detail | Male (general) | Female or third gender (general) | SC/ST, ex-servicemen, persons with disabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 10 (Secondary), 5 subjects | ₹2,340 | ₹1,890 | ₹1,560 |
| Class 12 (Senior Secondary), 5 subjects | ₹2,600 | ₹2,150 | ₹1,690 |
| Each additional subject (either course) | ₹940 | ₹940 | ₹940 |
On top of these amounts, the Prospectus adds ₹70 for every online transaction. The NIOS fee page describes the same ₹70 as the cost of the online application form.
What the admission fee covers, and what it does not
The NIOS fee page states that the Stream-1 fee includes the Personal Contact Programme (PCP), the registration fee and the cost of study material.
The examination fee is separate
The Stream-1 table has no separate charge for practical subjects at admission. If you are moving subjects from another board, NIOS lists a Transfer of Credit (TOC) fee of ₹230 per subject; our Transfer of Credit guide explains how TOC works.
Which fee rate applies to you
The male and female or third-gender rates are the general-category fees. The lowest rate is for three exempted categories, and you claim it by uploading proof during the online admission.
| Category | Document NIOS asks you to upload |
|---|---|
| SC/ST learners | A certificate issued by the Deputy Commissioner, a Magistrate, the Commissioner SC/ST or another competent authority. |
| Ex-servicemen | A certificate from the employer, in original. |
| Persons with disabilities | A certificate from a government hospital (not a private nursing home) that clearly states the nature and extent of the disability. |
Table-4 has no separate rate for OBC learners. The admission form does ask OBC learners to upload a caste certificate for their social category, but on the official fee table that does not change the amount. See the NIOS admission documents guide for the full upload list.
Worked examples
These examples use only the 2026–27 Stream-1 figures above and assume the fee is paid within the no-late-fee period.
- A female learner in the general category taking Class 10 with six subjects: ₹1,890 + ₹940 = ₹2,830, plus the ₹70 online charge.
- A male learner in the general category taking Class 12 with five subjects: ₹2,600, plus the ₹70 online charge.
- An SC learner taking Class 12 with five subjects, who uploads the required certificate: ₹1,690, plus the ₹70 online charge.
Late fees
Each Stream-1 admission block has a no-late-fee period followed by three late-fee steps of ₹260, ₹520 and ₹910. In Block-1 of 2026–27, those steps ran from 1 August to 15 September 2026; that block has now closed.
For Block-2, both official sources give the no-late-fee period as 16 September 2026 to 31 January 2027. They do not agree on when the first late-fee step starts, so we do not give Block-2 late-fee dates here. Check the date on the official NIOS fee page (opens in a new tab) before you pay, and see our NIOS admission last date 2026–27 guide for the overall timeline.
Fees in Streams 2, 3 and 4
Streams 2, 3 and 4 are for part admission and On-Demand examinations, not the full course. Their registration fee is charged per subject rather than as a five-subject package.
- Registration fee: ₹620 per subject in Streams 2, 3 and 4.
- Transfer of Credit: ₹230 per subject.
- A different or additional subject from the one at your parent board: ₹940 per subject, on top of the other fees.
Examination fees in these streams are separate. For how the On-Demand route works, see our On-Demand Exams guide.
What to check before you pay
NIOS accepts the admission fee online only, and the Prospectus says the application cannot be changed once the fee has been paid.
- Your course (Secondary or Senior Secondary), category and number of subjects are correct in the review section.
- You are paying on the official NIOS portal, sdmis.nios.ac.in. NIOS does not accept bank drafts, demand drafts, cash or cheques for online admission.
- Your documents are uploaded, including any certificate needed for the exempted-category rate.
- You pay with the application or within 10 days of submitting it. If you submit close to the block's closing date, NIOS asks for payment within 5 days of that date.
- You keep the fee receipt NIOS sends by email and SMS, and the reference number generated after payment.
Help with online admission is available at NIOS study centres (Accredited Institutions), Regional Centres and Common Services Centres. The Prospectus states that NIOS does not recognise any other agency or cyber café for online admission. The full sequence is in our NIOS admission process guide.
Refunds and cancellation
NIOS states that admission and examination fees, once paid, are not refunded or adjusted under any circumstances.
NIOS also cancels an admission, without refund, if the form is incomplete, the fee is short, supporting documents are missing or false, the eligibility or minimum-age conditions are not met, or the information given is wrong. Confirm your eligibility first with our NIOS admission eligibility guide.
NIOS admission fee: questions
How much is the NIOS Class 10 admission fee for 2026–27?
Under Stream-1, five subjects cost ₹2,340 for male learners, ₹1,890 for female or third-gender learners and ₹1,560 for SC/ST learners, ex-servicemen and persons with disabilities, plus ₹940 for each extra subject and the ₹70 online charge.
What is the fee for Class 12 through NIOS open schooling?
For the 2026–27 Stream-1 session, the Senior Secondary course costs ₹2,600, ₹2,150 or ₹1,690 for five subjects, depending on the category, plus ₹940 for each extra subject and the ₹70 online charge. The examination fee is extra.
Is the examination fee included in the admission fee?
No. NIOS collects the examination fee separately, within the dates it announces for each examination session.
Do OBC learners pay a lower fee?
Table-4 of the 2026–27 Prospectus has no separate OBC rate. The lower rate listed there is for SC/ST learners, ex-servicemen and persons with disabilities.
Can I pay the NIOS admission fee in cash at a study centre?
No. The Prospectus says the fee is paid online only. A study centre or Common Services Centre can help you complete the online payment.
Will NIOS refund my fee if I change my mind?
NIOS states that fees once paid are not refundable or adjustable. Check your course, subjects and documents before you pay.
Check official NIOS information
Related guides
Not sure which fee applies to you?
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