The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has announced an important update for all students preparing for the **April 2026 examinations**. If you are a student who has not yet paid your examination fees for these upcoming exams, NIOS has opened a special payment period. This is your chance to submit your fees, but a late fee will apply. Understanding these deadlines and fees is very important for all students.
Final Chance for April 2026 Exam Fees
The current window for paying your exam fees with a late charge began on **November 21, 2025**. This period will run for several weeks, giving students time to arrange their payments. However, this opportunity will end on **December 31, 2025**. All students must ensure their examination fees, along with the required late fee, are submitted by this date.
During this special period, from **November 21 to December 31, 2025**, students will need to pay an additional **₹150** on top of their regular examination fees. This **₹150** is a fixed late fee for this window. It is crucial for students to remember that this current window is the last opportunity to pay a smaller, minimal late fee. Missing this deadline will lead to much higher costs.
What Happens If You Miss the December 31 Deadline?
NIOS has made it very clear about the consequences of missing the **December 31, 2025**, deadline. If any student fails to submit their exam fees by the end of December, a significantly higher late fee will be charged. For all payments made in **January 2026**, NIOS will charge a consolidated (combined) late fee of **₹1,600**. This **₹1,600** charge will apply to every student who tries to pay their fees after the **December 31** deadline. This higher fee is a standard amount for anyone submitting their forms in the month of January.
Therefore, paying your fees before **December 31, 2025**, with the **₹150** late fee, is much more affordable than paying **₹1,600** in January. Students should aim to complete this process as soon as possible to avoid this extra financial burden.
Tips for Smooth Fee Submission
The CSC (Common Service Centres), which assists many students who learn virtually, has offered some advice. They recommend that all students complete their pending fee submissions quickly. There are often heavy rushes and payment problems on the last day before deadlines. When many students try to access the website or make payments at the same time, the system can slow down, or transactions might fail.
By submitting your fees early, you can avoid these common issues. This will help ensure that your application and fee payment are processed smoothly and on time, without any last-minute stress.
Where to Find Help
NIOS understands that some students or VLEs (Village Level Entrepreneurs, who sometimes help students with their applications) might face difficulties. If you have any problems using the online portal or during the payment process, you can reach out for support. The NIOS support team is available to help you. You can contact them by sending an email to **helpdesk@csc.gov.in**. Alternatively, you can call their helpline number, which is **14599**. Make sure to provide all necessary details when contacting support so they can assist you quickly.
To summarise, make sure to pay your NIOS April 2026 exam fees by **December 31, 2025**, to only pay a **₹150** late fee. After this date, the late fee will jump to **₹1,600**. Act now to complete your submission successfully.
