NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern would be released soon by the open school for 2026 exams. There are a total of seven subjects in Class 12 of which 5 are compulsory and 2 subjects are optional. Candidates can choose the optional subjects from the list released by NIOS. Every subject carries a total of 100 marks including practical, theory, and internal assessments.
- The number of Multiple Choice Questions varies subject wise. For example, Business Studies sample paper had 17 MCQs in Section A and Biology sample paper contained 16 MCQs, and a Sociology sample paper had 17 MCQs.
- The practical exam will be conducted for 30 marks and the internal assessment will carry 10 marks.
- NIOS Class 12 syllabus is expected to be released soon on the official website of NIOS.
Also Check: NIOS Class 12 Registration 2026
The NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern will help the students in chalking out their NIOS 12th preparation strategy as well. The NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026 are divided into theory, practical, and internal assessment components.
- The theory exam is allotted 60 marks
- The practical exam carries 30 marks for subjects that include a practical component
- The internal assessment is given a weightage of 10 marks.
The duration of each theory paper is 3 hours, whereas the Painting exam is conducted for 1.5 hours. By reviewing the subject-wise exam pattern and marking scheme for NIOS Class 12 in 2026, you can gain better clarity on the structure of the exam and prepare more effectively.
Key Summary
- NIOS Class 12 exam is conducted for a total of 7 subjects, with 5 compulsory subjects and 2 optional subjects.
- Each subject of NIOS class 12 carries a total of 100 marks, and the marks are divided between theory, practical, and internal assessment.
- Weightage of NIOS class 12 theory paper is 60 marks.
- NIOS class 12 practical paper is conducted for 30 marks, and the internal assessment for 10 marks.
- Students will be given a 3-hour time duration to solve NIOS Class 12 theory paper.
- Subjects like Painting in NIOS Class 12 exam have a shorter duration and are conducted for 1.5 hours.
What is NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026?
NIOS Class 12 exam pattern will be available on the official website. The total time allotted for every subject is 3 hours (for theory exam). The optional paper like Mass Communication and Painting will be conducted for less marks. The detailed exam pattern has been mentioned below:
| Subjects | Marks | Time duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry NIOS Class 12 | 80 | 3 hours |
| Commerce (Business studies) | 100 | 3 hours |
| Home Science | 100 | 3 hours |
| Accountancy | 100 | 3 hours |
| Sociology | 100 | 3 hours |
| Geography | 80 | 3 hours |
| English | 100 | 3 hours |
| History | 80 | 3 hours |
| Mass Communication | 80 | 3 hours |
| Painting | 30 | 1 hour and 30 minutes |
Also Read
NIOS Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights
You can check the overview of NIOS 12th Exam Pattern, Topic-wise Weightage, Marking Scheme and other details.
| Exam Mode | Offline |
|---|---|
| Medium | Hindi & English |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice, Long/Short Questions |
| Subjects | Science, Commerce, Arts |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Negative Marking | No Negative Marking |
| Theory Exam | 60 |
| Practical Exam | 30 |
| Internal Assessment | 10 |
| Passing Marks | 33% Aggregate in Each Subject & Overall |
NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme
The subject wise marking scheme for NIOS Class 12 are as follows-
NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern for English
| Sections | Marks |
|---|---|
| Prescribed texts | 20 Marks |
| Functional Grammar | 15 Marks |
| Functional writing skills | 25 Marks |
| Comprehension (unseen passages) | 20 Marks |
| Optional module | 20 Marks |
Exam Pattern for Chemistry NIOS Class 12
| Chapters | Marks |
|---|---|
| Atom Molecule and Chemical Arithmetics | 7 |
| Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding | 12 |
| States of Matter | 12 |
| Chemical Energetics | 8 |
| Chemical Dynamics | 8 |
| Chemistry of Elements | 10 |
| Chemistry of Organic Compounds | 12 |
| Optional | |
| Environmental Chemistry (or) Chemistry and Industry | 15 |
Chemistry NIOS Class 12 Weighatge
| Type of Question | No. of questions | Marks per question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective Type Questions | |||
| MCQ (1 mark) | 16 | 1 | 16 |
| 2×12 = 24 Marks Objective type points (each are of 1 mark) [Fill in the blanks, match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one-word questions, True/False, etc.] | 12 | 2 | 24 |
| Subjective Type Questions | |||
| Very Short Answer (VSA) (2 marks) | 9 | 2 | 18 |
| Short Answer (SA) (3 marks) | 4 | 3 | 12 |
| Long Answer (LA) (5 marks) | 2 | 5 | 10 |
Also Read
NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern for Physics
| Topics | Marks |
|---|---|
| Motion, force, and Energy | 14 |
| Electricity and Magnetism | 14 |
| Properties of Matter | 8 |
| Optics and Optical Instruments | 8 |
| Atoms and Nuclei | 7 |
| Semiconductors and their Applications | 7 |
| Heat and Thermodynamics | 6 |
| Optional Mode | |
| Astrophysics | 10 |
| Electronics | 10 |
| Photography and Audio-Videography | 10 |
| Physics in Medical Sciences | 10 |
NIOS Weightage for Physics
| Type of Question | No. of questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| MCQ (1 mark) | 16 | 16 |
| Objective Type Questions (1*2 = 2 marks) (with 2 sub-parts of 1 mark each) [Fill in the blanks, match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one-word questions, True/False, etc.] | 12 | 24 |
| Very Short Answer (2 marks) | 9 | 18 |
| Short Answer (SA) (3 marks) | 4 | 12 |
| Long Answer (LA) (5 marks) | 2 | 10 |
NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern for Mathematics
| Chapters | Marks |
|---|---|
| Complex Numbers & Quadratic Equations | 10 |
| Determinants & Matrices | 10 |
| Permutations & Combinations | 8 |
| Sequences & Series | 8 |
| Trigonometry | 10 |
| Coordinate Geometry | 10 |
| Differential Calculus | 17 |
| Integral Calculus | 17 |
| Optional | |
| Statistics & Probability (or) Vectors & Analytical Solid Geometry (or) Linear Programming | 10 |
NIOS Class 12 Mathematics Weightage
| Optional modules | No. of questions | Marks per question | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (1 mark) | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| Objective Type Questions (1*2 = 2 marks) (with 2 sub-parts of 1 mark each) | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Objective Type Questions (1*4 = 4 marks) (with 4 sub-parts of 1 mark each) | 4 | 4 | 16 |
| Objective Type Questions (1*6 = 6 marks) (with 6 sub-parts of 1 mark each) | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Very Short Answer (2 marks questions) | 9 | 2 | 18 |
| Short Answer (SA) (4 marks questions) | 5 | 4 | 20 |
| Long Answer (LA) (6 marks questions) | 2 | 6 | 12 |
NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern for Biology
| Chapters | Marks |
|---|---|
| Diversity and evolution of life | 6 |
| Cell, Cell functions, and Tissues | 10 |
| Functional morphology and Life processes in animals | 11 |
| Reproduction and Development | 10 |
| Heredity and Genetics | 10 |
| Population Explosion and Family Planning | 4 |
| Environmental Biology | 8 |
| Optional | |
| Tools and Techniques in Biology (or) Economic Biology (or) Health Science (or) Emerging Areas in BiologyBiochemistry, Biotechnology, and Immunobiology | 10 |
NIOS Class 12 Bilogy Weightage
| Type of Question | No. of questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Long Answer (LA) (5 marks) | 2 | 10 |
| Short Answer (SA) (3 marks) | 4 | 12 |
| Very Short Answer (2 marks) | 9 | 18 |
| MCQ (1 mark) | 16 | 16 |
| Objective Type Questions (1*2 = 2 marks) (with 2 sub-parts of 1 mark each) [Fill in the blanks, match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one-word questions, Flow Chart, Diagram Based, etc.] | 12 | 24 |
NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern for Business Studies
| Chapters | Marks | |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Business | 16 | |
| Business as a Career | 8 | |
| Trade and Service Activities | 16 | |
| Management of Business | 16 | |
| Financing of Business | 12 | |
| Marketing | 12 | |
| Optional | ||
| Office procedures and Practices (or) Practical Banking (or) Introduction to Factory Set-up (or) Agency Services | 20 | |
NIOS Weightage for Business Studies
| Type of Question | No. of questions | Marks per question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective Type Questions | |||
| MCQ (1 mark) | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| Objective Type Questions (1*2 = 2 marks) (with 2 sub-parts of 1 mark each) (Other Objective questions contain Fill in the Blanks/True False/One word Answer/Best Answer Test) | 15 | 2 | 30 |
| Subjective Type Questions | |||
| Very Short Answer (VSA) | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Short Answer (SA) | 6 | 3 | 18 |
| Long Answer (LA) | 4 | 5 | 20 |
NIOS Class 12 Grading System
The NIOS 12th grading system is done based on the percentage received by the students. The NIOS 2026 grading system is as follows:
| Percentage in 12th | Grade | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 100% to 76% | A | Very Good |
| 75% to 51% | B | Good |
| 50% to 26% | C | Average |
| 25% to 0% | D | Fail / Re-Appear |
NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026
In NIOS Class 10 syllabus there are five compulsory subjects and one optional subject. The subjects have been divided into two groups i.e. Group A and Group B. In Group A there are compulsory and optional language papers including English Language and Literature. Candidates have to choose any other language paper apart from English. The details description is mentioned below:
| Groups | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Group A | English, Bengali, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Nepali, Assamese, Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Malayalam, Odia, Arabic, Persian, and Tamil. |
| Group B | Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Science, Economics, Home ScienceIndian Culture and Heritage, Data Entry Operations, Psychology, Accountancy, Painting, Business Studies, and Data Entry Operations. |
NIOS Class 10 Marking Scheme 2026
Every subject in NIOS Class 10 syllabus has been classified into various parts. The board has stated the marks for each part in every subject. For example, in English Language and literature there are four sections- Reading, Writing, Grammar, and Literature. For the reading and writing sections the marks assigned in 15 and 25 marks respectively. For the other two sections i.e. Grammar and Literature there are 30 marks each. A detailed description of the marking scheme is mentioned below:
| Subject | Marking scheme |
|---|---|
| English | Reading: 15 marks Writing: 25 marks Grammar: 30 marks Literature: 30 marks |
| Mathematics | Knowledge: 25 marks Understanding: 42 marks Application: 10 marks Skills: 8 marks Practicals: 15 marks |
| Social Science | Knowledge: 30 marks Understanding: 48 marks Application: 14 marks Skill: 8 marks |
| Economics | Knowledge: 30 Understanding: 50 Application: 20 |
| Business Studies | Knowledge: 30 Understanding: 50 Application: 20 |
| Home Science | Knowledge: 25 marks Understanding: 42 marks Application: 10 marks Skills: 8 marks Practicals: 15 marks |
| Psychology | Knowledge: 30 marks Understanding: 50 marks Application: 20 marks |
| Indian Culture and Heritage | Knowledge: 30 marks Understanding: 50 marks Application: 20 marks |
| Accountancy | Knowledge: 20 marks Understanding: 50 marks Application: 20 marks |
| Painting | Knowledge: 10 marks Understanding: 15 marks Application: 5 marks Practical: 30 marks |
| Data Entry Operations | Theory: 40 marks Practicals: 60 marks |
NIOS Total Marks for 12th
According to the NIOS class 12 exam pattern, each paper will carry a total of 100 marks, divided into theory, practical, and internal assessment components. NIOS class 12 theory paper carries 60 marks, 30 marks are assigned to the practical component of NIOS class 12 exam. The remaining 10 marks are allocated to the internal assessment component of the NIOS Class 12 exam.
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Theory | 60 |
| Practical | 30 |
| Internal Assessment | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
NIOS Class 12: Important Books and Guides
NIOS has provided a complete list of Subject-wise Online Course Materials for all Senior Secondary Subjects. Appearing students can download Class 12 books in PDF format to prepare for the exams.
NIOS Class 12 Preparation Tips
NIOS Class 12 exams are one of the most important milestones. As there are no regular classes conducted by NIOS it becomes tough to study and manage the syllabus. However, the open school has made the exam pattern and sample papers available on the website but candidates still need to figure out the exact approach for the board exam. Some of the important tips for NIOS Class 12 exam are as follows:
- Follow Sample Paper: NIOS has released the sample papers for all subjects on its official website. Candidates are suggested to practice from the sample paper so that they can understand the structure of paper and the course.
- Study from NIOS-published textbooks: It is also a tough task to figure out which book will be suitable for NIOS exams. NIOS published their own study material for all the subjects. Candidates are suggested to study from that same resource only. However, for more practice NCERT textbooks can be used.
- Prepare a Time Table: Time Table is one of the most important parts of a preparation strategy. Candidates should make time slots so that they can cover each and every subject properly and equally. Stick to the timetable and do not procrastinate on any task or topic.
Check out: NIOS Class 12 Admit Card 2026, How To Download and Important Dates
NIOS Exam Pattern FAQs
Ques. Is the syllabus for NIOS Class 12 exam reduced for the current session?
Ans: Unlike other boards, NIOS has not reduced the syllabus for any subject for the 2026 examination. The syllabus will remain the same as earlier. As it is an open school so there were no classes earlier also and that’s why the board did not consider reducing the syllabus due to the pandemic.
Ques. What will be the maximum marks for a subject?
Ans: NIOS Exam pattern has also not been changed for the 2026 session. The maximum marks for a paper will remain 100 only, including the theory and practical exams.
Ques. Is it necessary to pass separately in theory and practical exams?
Ans: It is not mandatory to pass separately in theory and practical exams in NIOS. The final marking is done by adding the marks secured by the candidates in all formats i.e. theory, practical and internal assessment.
Ques. What are the passing marks for a subject in NIOS class 12 exam?
Ans: Candidates are required to secure at least 33% marks including theory and practical to pass the examination. The aggregate marks should also be 33% or above. If any candidate secured below 33% marks in any subject but has secured an aggregate of 33%, then he/she has to appear for the compartment examination.
Ques. What is the pattern of NIOS exam 12th?
Ans. NIOS Class 12 exam pattern is released on the official website. As per the official NIOS exam pattern, each paper of NIOS will carry a total of 100 marks, with 60 marks for the theory paper, 40 marks for practical exam, and 10 marks for the internal assessment.
NIOS class 12 exam is conducted for a total of 7 papers for each stream. 5 papers are compulsory, and 2 NIOS class 12 papers are optional. Each paper of NIOS class 12 is conducted for a total duration of 3 hours, and Painting is conducted for 1.5 hours.
Ques. What is the total marks for NIOS 12th exam?
Ans. As per the NIOS class 12 exam pattern, there are a total of 100 marks in each paper. 60 marks are for the theory paper, 30 for the practical, and 10 for the internal assessment.
Ques. How many subjects are compulsory in NIOS 12th?
Ans. NIOS class 12 exam is conducted for 7 papers for each stream. Out of these, 5 are compulsory subjects and 2 are optional subjects.
Ques. When will NIOS exam 2026 be conducted?
Ans: NIOS Class 10 and 12 exam 2026 will be tentatively conducted in January 2026.
Get Live Updates on Board Exams 2026: https://t.me/class_10_12_board_updates
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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