The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has released the important schedule for paying exam fees for the April 2026 public examinations. This announcement is for all students who were registered for the October/November 2025 exams. Students must pay their exam fees by January 22, 2026 , to avoid any extra late fees. This update is key for students planning to take their Class 10th and 12th exams in April-May 2026.
NIOS aims to make education available to everyone. These public exams are a chance for many students to complete their schooling. Making sure you pay your exam fees on time is the first step towards appearing for these exams.
Key Dates for NIOS April 2026 Exam Fee Payment
The table below shows the full schedule for paying exam fees, including dates for late fee payments. Students should note these dates carefully to avoid any problems.
| For Students Registered for October/November 2025 Public Examination | Fee Type | Dates |
| All Eligible Students | Without Late Fee (Rs. 300 per subject; additional Rs. 150 for subjects with practical components) | January 13 to January 22, 2026 |
| With Late Fee of Rs. 150 per subject | January 23 to January 27, 2026 | |
| With a total late fee of Rs. 1600 per student | January 28 to February 1, 2026 |
Important Rule for Senior Secondary Students
Students taking the Senior Secondary Course (Class 12th) need to be aware of a specific rule. To get their final passing certificate, there must be a gap of two years from the year they passed their Secondary Examination (Class 10th).
- If a student does not have this necessary two-year gap, they can only register for a maximum of four subjects for the upcoming April/May 2026 examinations. This includes any subjects they might have already passed.
- Students must choose their subjects carefully when registering, keeping this rule in mind.
How to Pay Your Exam Fees
All exam fees must be paid online. Students need to visit the official NIOS website to complete their payment. Here are the steps:
- Go to the NIOS official website: sdmis.nios.ac.in .
- Look for the section related to exam fee payment for April 2026 exams.
- Log in using your student details.
- Select the subjects you wish to appear for.
- Pay the required fee online using available payment methods.
- After successful payment, make sure to save or print the payment receipt for your records.
Who Can Apply?
This fee payment schedule is specifically for students who were already registered for the October/November 2025 Public Examination. These students are now eligible to register and pay fees for the April-May 2026 exams.
What to Remember
- Pay your fees well before the deadline of January 22, 2026 , to avoid extra charges.
- If you are a Senior Secondary student, check the two-year gap rule carefully before choosing your subjects.
- Only online payment is accepted through the official NIOS website.
- Keep a copy of your fee payment receipt safe.
Staying updated with these dates and rules will help you smoothly register for your NIOS April 2026 exams.
