The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has opened registration for its Class 10 and Class 12 exams for April-May 2026. Students who plan to appear for these exams must register and pay their fees by December 20, 2025 , to avoid a late fine. This applies to students enrolled in Stream 1, Block 1, for the March-April 2026 exams, as well as those eligible from earlier exams before September-October 2025.
This is an important update for all NIOS students. The registration process includes both submitting the form and paying the required exam fees. It is crucial to complete these steps before the deadline to ensure you can appear for the upcoming public examinations.
Key Dates for NIOS Exam Registration and Fee Payment 2026
Students should note the following schedule for registration and fee payment for the NIOS Class 10 and Class 12 April-May 2026 exams:
| Category of Learners | Fee Type | Dates |
| For learners enrolled in Stream 1, Block 1 for March-April 2026 exam | Without late fee | November 21, 2025, to December 20, 2025 |
| For eligible learners for exam prior to Sept-Oct 2025 public exam | Without late fee | November 21, 2025, to December 20, 2025 |
| All eligible learners | With late fee of INR 150 per subject | December 21, 2025, to December 31, 2025 |
| All eligible learners | With consolidated late fee of INR 1600 per learner | January 01, 2026, to January 10, 2026 |
How to Register and Pay Fees
Students must visit the official NIOS website to complete their registration and fee payment. The process is entirely online. Here are the steps:
- Go to the official NIOS website, nios.ac.in .
- Look for the 'Exam/Result' section on the homepage.
- Click on the link for 'NIOS Public Exam 2026 Registration'.
- Enter your enrollment number and other required details.
- Select the subjects for which you want to appear for the exam.
- Pay the examination fees using the available online payment options (e.g., debit card, credit card, net banking).
- Download and save the payment receipt for future reference.
Understanding the Fee Structure
The exam fee is charged per subject. If you pay within the first window (up to December 20, 2025 ), you will not incur any additional charges beyond the standard subject fees. It is advisable to complete the payment during this period.
Late Fee Charges
If a student misses the first deadline, they still have two more chances to register, but with late fees:
- From December 21, 2025, to December 31, 2025 , a late fee of INR 150 per subject will be added to the regular exam fee. For example, if a student takes five subjects, they will pay an extra INR 750 (5 x INR 150) in addition to the normal fees.
- A final window is available from January 01, 2026, to January 10, 2026 . During this period, a consolidated late fee of INR 1600 per learner will be applied, regardless of the number of subjects. This is a higher penalty, so students should aim to complete their registration earlier.
Exam Schedule and Important Dates
The NIOS public examinations for April-May 2026 will take place during April and May 2026 . The exact date sheet, or time table, for these exams will be released by the NIOS board in March 2026 . Students must regularly check the official website, nios.ac.in , for this announcement.
It is important for all students to make sure their registration and fee payment are completed well before the final deadline of January 10, 2026 , to avoid any issues with appearing for the exams. Failure to register and pay fees on time may result in students not being allowed to sit for the April-May 2026 public examinations.
Students should keep a record of their registration and payment details. For any queries, students are advised to refer to the official NIOS website or contact their respective study centers.
