NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-Wise Marking Scheme
Ongoing Event
NIOS Class 12 Application Date:21 Nov' 25 - 20 Dec' 25
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has updated the NIOS Class 12 exam pattern 2026 for many subjects, including English, Geography, Business Studies, Psychology and others. The revised blueprint outlines the type of questions, marking scheme, weightage distribution, question count, and internal choice pattern for the April/May and October/November NIOS 12th public examinations.
As per the new NIOS Class 12 exam structure, each subject carries 100 marks, and the question papers include a mix of MCQs, objective-type questions, Very Short Answer (VSA), Short Answer (SA) and Long Answer (LA) questions. Students can download the latest NIOS 12th exam pattern 2026 PDFs from the official website, nios.ac.in. Understanding the updated NIOS Class 12 exam pattern will help learners prioritise important sections, plan their preparation, and score better in the upcoming NIOS 12th board exams.
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
Particulars | Details |
Name of the Exam | NIOS Senior Secondary Examination |
Conducting Body | |
Examination Mode | Offline |
Total Marks | 100 Marks |
Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
Frequency of conduct | Twice a year |
Also, check -
NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-Wise
Candidates can check the subject-wise NIOS Class 12 exam pattern 2026 below. The following tables provide the detailed exam pattern for Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Commerce (Business Studies), Accountancy, Home Science, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Environmental Science and Mass Communication.
NIOS 12th Hindi Exam Pattern 2026 (New)
NIOS 12th English Exam Pattern 2026 (New)
Types of questions | No. of questions | Total marks |
Objective* 3 marks (with 3 subpoints) | 5 | 15 |
4 marks (with 4 subpoints) | 5 | 20 |
5 marks (with 5 subpoints) | 3 | 15 |
VSA (word limit 30 words) 2 marks | 11 (+ 6 questions for choice) | 22 |
SA (word limit 40 words) 3 marks | 2 (+ 2 questions for choice) | 6 |
LA (word limit 80–100 words) 4 marks | 4 (+ 3 questions for choice) | 16 |
EA (word limit 100–150 words) 6 marks | 1 (+ 1 question for choice) | 6 |
NIOS 12th Geography Exam Pattern 2026 (New)
Forms of Questions | No. of Question | Marks |
Objective Type Questions- 1 Mark | 16 | 16 |
Objective Type Questions- 2 Marks (with two sub-points) | 10 | 20 |
Objective Types Map Question – 1 | 04* | 4 |
Very Short Answer (VSA) – 2 | 8 | 16 |
MAP Q. (VSA) – 2 | 2* | 4 |
Short Answer (SA) – 3 | 5 | 15 |
Long Answer (LA) – 5 | 1 | 5 |
Total | 46 | 80 |
Note*- Alternative questions will be given instead of the Map-based Question for the Visually Impaired candidates.
NIOS 12th Business Studies Exam Pattern 2026 (New)
Types of questions | No. of question | Marks per question | Total marks |
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 Blanks / True False / One word Answer / Best Answer Test.) | 15 | 2 | 30 |
VSA | 6 | 2 | 12 |
SA | 6 | 3 | 18 |
LA | 4 | 5 | 20 |
Total | 51 | - | 100 |
Note: In subjective questions: 3 Questions of 2 marks (VSA), 3 Questions of 3 marks (SA), and 2 Questions of 5 marks (LA) will have internal choices.
NIOS 12th Psychology Exam Pattern 2026 (New)
Types of Questions | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total marks |
MCQ | 20 | 1 | 20 |
Objective type | 3 | 2 | 6 |
6 | 4 | 24 | |
VSA | 6* | 2 | 12 |
SA | 6** | 3 | 18 |
LA | 4*** | 5 | 20 |
Total | 45 | - | 100 |
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern for Sanskrit
Note:
# 3 questions will be alternative questions
## 1 questions will be alternative questions
### 3 questions will be alternative questions
NIOS Class 12th Syllabus
Download the NIOS Class 12th syllabus for 2025-26, covering all subjects and topics to help students plan their studies and excel in board exams.
Download NowNIOS 12th Mathematics Exam Pattern 2026
S No. | Type of question | No. of questions | Marks per question | Marks |
1 | MCQ (1 mark) | 20 | 1 | 20 |
2 | Objective Type Questions (1*2 = 2 marks) (with 2 sub-parts of 1 mark each) | 4 | 2 | 8 |
3 | Objective Type Questions (1*4 = 4 marks) (with 4 sub-parts of 1 mark each) | 4 | 4 | 16 |
4 | Objective Type Questions (1*6 = 6 marks) (with 6 sub-parts of 1 mark each) | 1 | 6 | 6 |
Total | 29 | 50 | ||
5 | Very Short Answer (2 marks questions) | 9 | 2 | 18 |
6 | Short Answer(SA) (4 marks questions) | 5 | 4 | 20 |
7 | Long Answer(LA) (6 marks questions) | 2 | 6 | 12 |
Total | 16 | 50 | ||
G. Total | 45 | 100 |
Note: In subjective questions - 4 Questions of 2 marks (VSA), 2 Questions of 3 marks (SA), and 2 Questions of 6 marks (LA) will have internal choices.
NIOS Class 12 Physics Exam Pattern 2026
S No. | Type of Question | No. of questions | Marks |
1 | MCQ (1 mark) | 16 | 16 |
2 | Objective Type Questions (1*2 = 2 marks) (with 2 sub-parts of 1 mark each) [Fill in the blanks, and match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one-word questions, True False, etc.] | 12 | 24 |
Total | 28 | 40 | |
3 | Very Short Answer (2 marks) | 9 | 18 |
4 | Short Answer (SA) (3 marks) | 4 | 12 |
5 | Long Answer (LA) (5 marks) | 2 | 10 |
Total | 15 | 40 | |
G. Total | 43 | 80 |
Note: In subjective questions: 4 Questions of 2 marks (VSA), 2 Questions of 3 marks (SA), and 2 Questions of 5 marks (LA) will have internal choices.
NIOS 12th Class Chemistry 2026 Exam Pattern
Chemistry question paper asks varied types of questions of chemical equations, numerical, theory etc. Students are required to solve this question paper within 3 hours. The paper has a total score of 80 marks.
S No. | Forms of Questions | No. of Question | Marks per question | Total Marks |
1 | 1 Marks MCQ | 16 | 1 | 16 |
2 | 2×12=24 Marks Objective type (with two sub-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 |
Total | 28 | 40 | ||
Subjective Type Questions | ||||
3 | Very Short Answer (VSA) - 2 | 9* | 2 | 18 |
4 | Short Answer (SA) - 3 | 4** | 3 | 12 |
5 | Long Answer (LA) - 5 | 2*** | 5 | 10 |
Total | 15 | 40 | ||
Grand Total | 43 | 80 |
Note:
*4 questions will have internal choices.
** 2 questions will have internal choices.
***2 questions will have internal choices.
NIOS 12th Biology Exam Pattern 2026
S No. | Type of Question | No. of questions | Marks |
1 | Long Answer (LA) (5 marks) | 2 | 10 |
2 | Short Answer (SA) (3 marks) | 4 | 12 |
3 | Very Short Answer (2 marks) | 9 | 18 |
Total | 15 | 40 | |
4 | MCQ (1 mark) # | 16 | 16 |
5 | Objective Type Questions (1*2 = 2 marks) ## (with 2 sub-parts of 1 mark each) [Fill in the blanks, and match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one-word questions, Flow charts, Diagrams Based, etc.] | 12 | 24 |
Total | 28 | 40 | |
G. Total | 43 | 80 |
Note:
# In Objective Type Questions of 1 mark: 8 Questions will have internal choices.
## In Objective Type Questions of 2 marks: 6 Questions will have 4 sub-parts out of which the learner has to do any 2 sub-parts.
In subjective questions: 4 Questions of 2 marks (VSA), 2 Questions of 3 marks (SA), and 2 Questions of 5 marks (LA) will have internal choices.
NIOS Class 12 History Exam Pattern 2026
Types of Questions | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
1 Mark (MCQ) | 20 | 1 | 20 |
1x2=2 Marks (with two sub-points) (fill in the blanks, match the column, paragraph or case-based Questions, one-word | 15 | 2 | 30 |
questions, true False, etc.) | |||
Very Short Answer (VSA) | 6* | 2 | 12 |
Short Answer (SA) | 6** | 3 | 18 |
Long Answer Type (LA) | 3*** | 5 | 15 |
Skill (Map) | 1**** | 5 | 5 |
Total | 51 | 100 |
Note:
* 3 Questions will have an internal choice
** 3 Questions will have an internal choice
*** 2 Questions will have an internal choice
**** Alternative questions to be given instead of Map-based Questions for Visually Impaired candidates.
NIOS 12th Political Science Exam Pattern 2026
Types of Questions | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
Objective Type Questions 1 Marks (MCQ) | 20 | 1 | 20 |
1x2=2 Marks (with two sub-points) (fill in the blanks, Match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one- word questions, True/False, etc) | 15 | 2 | 30 |
Very Short Answer (VSA) | 11* | 2 | 22 |
Short Answer (SA) | 6** | 3 | 18 |
Long Answer Type (LA) | 2*** | 5 | 10 |
Total | 54 | 100 |
Note:
* 5 Questions will have an internal choice
** 3 Questions will have an internal choice
*** 1 Question will have an internal choice
NIOS Class 12 Economics Exam Pattern 2026
TYPES OF QUESTIONS | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | MARKS for each question | MARKS ALLOTTED |
Objective type questions | 20 | 1 | 20 |
1 Mark (MCQs) 1*2=2 Marks (with two sub-points) (fill in the blanks, match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one-word questions, true/false, etc.) | 15 | 2 | 30 |
Very short answer | 07# | 2 | 14 |
Short answer | 06## | 4 | 24 |
Long answer | 02### | 6 | 12 |
TOTAL | 50 | 100 |
Note:
# | 04 Questions will have alternative choice. |
## | 03Questions will have alternative choice. |
### | 01 Question will have alternative choice. |
NIOS 12th Accountancy Exam Pattern 2026
Types of questions | No. Of questions | Marks per questions | Total marks |
OBJECTIVE (OBJ) MCQs (1 mark) Other (1*2 = 2 marks) Fill ups/match the following/complete the statements Other (1*4 = 4 marks) Match the following/true & false/short obj ques | 20 7 4 | 1 2 4 | 20 14 16 50 |
VERY SHORT ANSWER (VSA) | 6(3*) | 2 | 12 |
SHORT ANSWER (SA) | 6(3*) | 3 | 18 |
LONG ANSWER (LA) | 4(2*) | 5 | 20 |
Total | 47 | 100 |
Note: *VSA, SA and LA have an internal choice.
NIOS 12th Class Home Science 2026 Exam Pattern
Sl. No. | Type of question | No. of questions | Marks |
1 | Objective type 1(1 mark Question) (MCQ) | 16 | 16 |
Objective type 2 (2 mark questions) (Fill in the blank, match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one-word questions, true false etc.) | 12 | 24 | |
Objective Total | 28 | 40 | |
2 | Very Short Answer (2 mark questions) | 9 | 18 |
3 | Short Answer (SA) (3 mark questions) | 4 | 12 |
4 | Long Answer (LA) (5 mark questions) | 2 | 10 |
Subjective Total | 15* | 40 | |
Total | 43 | 80 | |
Note: *approximately 50 per cent of questions have an internal choice in subjective-type questions only.
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026 for Computer Science
Types of Questions | No. of Question | Marks |
Objective Type 1 (1 mark) (MCQ) | 12 | 12 |
Objective Type 2 (2 marks) | 3 | 6 |
Objective Type 2 (1 marks) (fill in the blanks, match the column, paragraph or case-based Questions, one-word questions, true False, etc.) | 12 | 12 |
Very Short Answer (VSA) - 2 | 8# | 16 |
Short Answer (SA) - 3 | 2## | 6 |
Long Answer (LA) - 4 | 2### | 8 |
Total | 39 | 60 |
Note:
# - 4 questions will have internal choices.
## - 1 questions will have internal choices.
### - 2 questions will have internal choices.
NIOS 12th Sociology Exam Pattern 2026
Forms of Questions | No. of Questions | Marks |
MCQs only - 1 | 1 x 20 | 20 |
Other Objective types - 1 Fill in the Blanks, Define in one word, True/False (6 Ques. Each) | 1 x 4 2 x 3 3 x 1 5 x 1 | 4 6 3 5 |
Assertion Reasoning Match the Columns, Passage (4 Ques. Each) | 4 x 3 | 12 |
Very Short Answer (VSA) – 2# | 2 x 7 | 14 |
Short Answer (SA) – 3## | 3 x 7 | 21 |
Long Answer Type (LA) – 5### | 5 x 3 | 15 |
Total | 49 | 100 |
Note:
# | 03 Questions will have alternative choice. |
## | 04 Questions will have alternative choice. |
### | 03 Question will have alternative choice. |
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026 for Environmental Science
Forms of Questions | No. of Questions | Total | Marks | Total | ||
Core | Optional | Core | Optional | |||
Objective Type (I ) –1 (1 Marks MCQs) | 13 | 3 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 16 |
Objective Type (II) 1/ 2 i. 1*2=2 marks (with two sub-parts) ii. (VSA, One word, Fill in the blanks T/F) | 01*2 + 4 | 3 | 8 | 21 | 3 | 24 |
Short Answer1(SA1)– 2 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 16 | 6 | 22 |
LongAnswer1(LA1) – 4 | 2 | - | 2 | 8 | - | 8 |
Long Answer2(LA2)– 5 | 2 | 2 | 10 | - | 10 | |
Total | 30 | 9 | 39 | 68 | 12 | 80 |
Note: Internal Choice is being given in SA1 (11+5 questions), LA1(3 questions) and LA2 (3 questions) i.e 5 in SA1 (3 in Core Module and 2 in Optional Module), 1 in LA1 and 1 in LA2, respectively.
Also, read -
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who detrmines the NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026?
A:
The National Institute of Open Schooling determines the NIOS 12th exam pattern.
Q: How many times does the National Institute of Open Schooling conduct the NIOS 12th exam?
A:
NIOS conducts the Class 12 examination in twice a year (March/April session and October/November session.
Q: Where can students download the NIOS 12th class 2026 exam pattern?
A:
Students can visit the official website of the NIOS at nios.ac.in to download the NIOS 12th exam pattern 2026.
Q: What are the subjects included in the NIOS 12th syllabus and exam pattern 2026?
A:
The NIOS provides the syllabus and exam pattern for subjects like History, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Commerce (Business Studies), Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Mathematics, Accountancy, Home Science, Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Sociology, Environmental Science, Mass Communication.
Q: What is the duration of the NIOS 12th examination?
A:
Candidates will have 3 hours to attempt each NIOS Class 12 subject exam.
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Questions related to NIOS Class 12
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to NIOS Class 12 ?
Hello,
The NIOS October session theory admit card for both Class 10 and 12 is expected to be released in October 2025. You can download it from the official NIOS website, https://sdmis.nios.ac.in/, (https://sdmis.nios.ac.in/) by entering your enrollment number and selecting the hall ticket type.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hi dear candidate,
You can find the NIOS class 12th Business Studies and home science question papers on our official website that you can download.
Kindly refer to the links attached below:
NIOS Question Papers 2025-26: Download 10th, 12th Previous Year Paper Here
NIOS 12th Business Studies Question Paper April 2023
NIOS 12th Home Science Question Paper April 2023
BEST REGARDS
Hey Sapna:)
Thanks for reaching out!
Yes, NIOS offers physical classes called personal contact program(PCP) at its study centre across india. These classes are meant to help students of both class 10th and 12th by providing doubt clarification, practical demonstration and guidance.These sessions are usually held on weekends or holidays, attendance is not mandatory but recommended.
You can find nearby centres and their schedules using the official NIOS Study Centre Locator.
Hope you'll find this helpful
According to the eligibility criteria for JEE Advanced, the candidates must have appeared in Class 12th and scored 75% aggregate marks. For the first time, you appeared in the CBSE Class 12 board exam in 2024, and in 2025, you appeared in the 12th examination from the NIOS board and scored 75%. Since NIOS is a recognised board, and you fulfil the aggregate marks, you are eligible to appear in JEE Advanced 2026 .
Yes, you can definitely appear for the 12th again through NIOS with PCM subjects.
This will make you eligible for JEE exams.
However, your previous PCMB degree will still hold validity. It won't be replaced or affected by the new NIOS certificate. You'll essentially have two 12th certificates.
Important Considerations:
- Time Management: Balancing NIOS studies and JEE preparation will be challenging.
- Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you meet the specific eligibility criteria for JEE, especially regarding age limits and other requirements.
- Exam Strategy: Develop a focused study plan to excel in both NIOS exams and JEE preparation.
Remember: While this is a potential path, carefully evaluate if it aligns with your long-term goals and if you're prepared for the academic and time commitment involved.
hope this helps you!!
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