NIOS Grading System 2025 Explained: Know Passing Marks, Grading Criteria

NIOS Grading System 2025 Explained: Know Passing Marks, Grading Criteria

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Mayank
Mayank Uniyal
Assistant Manager
Updated on Aug 27, 2025 15:53 IST

NIOS grading system 2025 will help students to understand the open board marking scheme followed by the authorities. Check the grading system and NIOS passing marks for classes 10 and 12 here for result preparation. 

NIOS Grading System 2025 Class 10, 12 Explained!

NIOS Grading System 2025: The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) announces the NIOS Result 2025 Class 10, 12 at the official website. Students who appear for the class 10th and 12th exams through NIOS can now check the NIOS 10th Result 2025 and the NIOS 12th Result 2025 online from the official website. However, understanding the NIOS Grading System 2025 before checking the NIOS marksheet 2025 is necessary in order to be aware of the marking scheme followed by the board for result preparation. The Board will release the NIOS Result 2025 Class 10, 12 online for the October session soon on the official website, i.e. nios.ac.in. Further, the NIOS provisional marksheet 2025 will students can check their details along with subject-wise scores.

Table of content
  • NIOS Grading System Explained
  • NIOS Result 2025 Grading System Decoded
  • NIOS Grading System 2025: No concept of Exam Failing
  • NIOS Grading System vs Traditional Evaluation System
  • NIOS Result 2025: Pass and Certification Criteria

NIOS Grading System Explained

While checking answer sheets and preparing the NIOS Results 2025, the Board follows a method different from traditional boards that use a percentage-based marking system. Instead of showing subject-wise marks in percentages, NIOS uses a grading system, where grades are given based on students’ performance in exams and assignments for their respective classes. 

NIOS Result 2025 Grading System Decoded

The grade system followed for class 10th result preparation, along with preparing NIOS 12th Result 2025 ranges from A to E. The grading system consists of several grades ranging from A to E. The following are the grades for NIOS passing marks 2025

Grade
Percentage Range
A 80% and above
B 60% to 79%
C 40% to 59%
D 33% to 39%
E Below 33%

NIOS Grading System 2025: No concept of Exam Failing

NIOS 2025 exam Grading System does not include the concept of failing the board exam. Calling it as one of its key features, NIOS takes pride in giving students a chance to continue their education. Even if a student scores less than 33%, they are awarded a Grade E. This process ensures that every candidate gets an opportunity to continue their education and improve their performance.

NIOS Grading System vs Traditional Evaluation System

Traditional Evaluation System

Traditional boards measure students’ performance, typically ranging from 0% to 100%. Also, a set passing percentage varies from board to board. Students are under pressure to score above a certain threshold to pass the board exams.

NIOS Grading System

Q:   What is the minimum pass percentage for each subject in the NIOS 10th exam?
A:

Students should secure minimum 33% of the total marks for passing the NIOS Class 10 exam. According to the official website of the NIOS Board, the passing criteria are as follows: 1. For the secondary course, you need to score a minimum of 33% in the aggregate. Your score can be in theory plus practical (where applicable). 2. For senior secondary, you need to score at least 33% separately in the practical and theory exams. 3. Also, your total score for each subject must be 33% in at least five subjects with one language paper.

Q:   What are the subjects available for NIOS Class 10th?
A:
Subjects available for students at the secondary level include Hindi English Urdu, Sanskrit, Bengali, Odia, Marathi, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Punjabi, Assamese, Nepali, Malayalam, Arabic, Persian, Tamil, Sindhi, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Science, Economics, Business Studies, Home Science; Psychology, Indian Culture and Heritage, Painting, Data Entry Operations, Accountancy, Hindustan Music, Carnatic Music, Veda Adhyan, Sanskrit Vyakaran, Bharatiya Darshan, Sanskrit Sahitya. NIOS offers 35 subjects including 18 languages for Class 10 students. The NIOS tenth class student is required to complete a minimum of 5 subjects with a minimum of one language and a maximum of two languages, to be eligible for certification. The subjects are broadly divided into two categories- Group A and Group B. Group A includes English Hindi Urdu, Bengali, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Punjabi, Nepali, Assamese, Marathi, Sanskrit, Malayalam, Odia, Arabic, Persian and Tamil. Group B includes Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Science, Economics, Business Studies, Home Science, Data Entry Operations, Psychology, Indian Culture and Heritage, Accountancy, Painting, and Data Entry Operations.
Q:   Can I appear for the Class 10 board exam, without going to the regular school?
A:

Students can appear for the 10th grade board exam even if they are not going to school. Students can opt for open school (NIOS) and study from home. Thus they can appear for NIOS 10th board exams. Another option is private registration. Students can register as private candidates and appear for board exams.  

Unlike the traditional evaluation system, NIOS evaluates students’ overall performance rather than just assigning passing marks. The grading system also encourages continuous learning and improvement, without students being labelled failures.

NIOS Result 2025: Pass and Certification Criteria

Course Pass Criteria Certification Criteria
Secondary Course (NIOS 10th) A minimum of 33% marks in the aggregate (Theory plus Practicals where applicable) in the public examination. Pass in 5 subjects, including at least one but not more than two languages
Senior Secondary Course (NIOS 12th) A minimum of 33% marks (separately in theory and Practicals in subjects having both and also in aggregate) in the public examination. Pass in 5 subjects, including at least one but not more than two languages

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Q:   How many groups are there for NIOS 12th subjects?
A:

NIOS has divided the subjects for class 12 into six groups namely Group A, B, C, D, E and F. Group A consists language subjects.  Other groups include subjects from Science, Commerce, Humanities and others. Each student has to select a minimum 5 subjects in total while applying for NIOS admission 2025. It is mandatory to choose one language subject from group A and other subjects can be chosen from any group.

Q:   How many marks are required in NIOS Class 10th in each subject?
A:

NIOS total marks for each subject of class 10th is 100 with theory, internal, and practical evaluation. For example, marking scheme of English is as follows. Reading: 15 marks, Writing: 25 marks, Grammar: 30 marks, and Literature: 30 marks. Markig scheme of Maths is different. Knowledge: 25 marks,  Understanding: 42 marks,  Application: 10 marks,  Skills: 8 marks and Practicals: 15 marks. A student is required to complete a minimum of 5 subjects with a minimum of one language and a maximum of two languages, to be eligible for certification.

Q:   What are the passing marks required in the NIOS 12th exams?
A:
Candidates should secure minimum 33% of the total marks for passing the NIOS Class 12 exam. The passing mark requirement for each subject at NIOS is similar to that of CBSE. According to the official website of the NIOS Board, the passing criteria are as follows: 1. For the secondary course, you need to score a minimum of 33% in the aggregate. Your score can be in theory plus practical (where applicable). 2. For senior secondary, you need to score at least 33% separately in the practical and theory exams. 3. Also, your total score for each subject must be 33% in at least five subjects with one language paper.
About the Author
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Mayank Uniyal
Assistant Manager
Mayank Uniyal is a seasoned academic content creator at shiksha.com. Having a master's degree in International Business, he is creating content across several domains including CUET, Medicine and Universities. Apart Read Full Bio
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Comments

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soma mukerjee

3 months ago

In NIOS 10th if any student opt for both DEO and HPE within five subjects would it be counted for passing board exam?

Reply to soma mukerjee