NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2025: Subject-Wise Marking Scheme
NIOS Class 12 Exam Date:04 Nov' 25 - 04 Nov' 25
The National Institute of Open Schooling has published the NIOS 12th exam pattern 2025 for public and on-demand exams. The institute provides the NIOS exam pattern for class 12 all subjects in PDF format. Students can visit the official website at nios.ac.in to check and download the NIOS 12th class 2025 exam pattern. The NIOS 12th exam pattern 2025 includes the topics and sub-topics subject-wise.
The NIOS conducts the exams in two sessions. Students can start preparing for the public and ODE examinations. They need to follow the NIOS 12th syllabus for all subjects and the marking scheme provided by the institute. The NIOS class 12 exam pattern will help students understand the marks distribution and type of questions asked in the NIOS Senior Secondary exam. Read the article to learn more about the NIOS 12th exam pattern 2025 for all subjects.
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2025 Overview
Particulars | Details |
Name of the Exam | National Institute of Open Schooling 12th Examination or NIOS 12th Exam |
Conducting Body | National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) |
Examination Mode | Offline |
Total Marks | 100 Marks |
Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
Frequency of conduct | Twice a year |
Also, check -
NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025: Subject-Wise
Students should practice and solve the previous years’ NIOS 12th question papers to prepare well for the examination. Candidates can check out the subject-wise NIOS 12th exam pattern 2025. The following tables provide the 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, Mass Communication.
NIOS 12th Hindi Exam Pattern 2025
NIOS 12th Class English 2025 Exam Pattern
Being a theoretical subject, students will have to write a lot in the examination. Total marks for the English exam will be 100 marks and students will be given a 3-hour time duration to attempt the question paper.
Types of questions | No. Of questions | Total marks |
Objective* 1 mark 2 marks (with 2 subpoints) 3 marks (with 3 subpoints) 4 marks (with 4 subpoints) 6 marks (with 6 subpoints) | 5 4 5 4 1 | 05 08 15 16 06 |
VSA (word limit 20-25 words) 2 marks | 14 (+6 Questions for choice) | 28 |
SA (Word limit 40-45 words) 3 marks | 3 (+2 Questions for choice) | 9 |
LA (Word limit 70-80 words) 4 marks | 2 (+1 Questions for choice) | 8 |
Essay type question (Word limit 100-150 words) 5 marks | 1 (+1 Questions for choice) | 5 |
TOTAL | 39 | 100 |
Note: * Objective type question refers to MCQ, Fill in the Blanks, True/False, Match the Column, One-word answer.
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 12th Mathematics Exam Pattern 2025
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 2025
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 2025 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 |
Objective Type Questions | ||||
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 2025
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 2025
Types of Questions | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
Objective Type Questions | |||
1 Marks (MCQ) | |||
1x2=2 Marks (with two sub-points) | 20 | 1 | 20 |
(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 internal choice
** 3 Questions will have internal choice
*** 2 Questions will have internal choice
**** Alternative questions to be given instead of Map-based Questions for Visually Impaired candidates.
NIOS 12th Class 2025 Geography Exam Pattern
Geography is one of the main subjects of the Arts stream. The geography question paper is worth 80 marks and students have to attempt the complete question paper within a time limit of 3 hours.
Forms of Questions | No. of Question | Marks |
Objective Type Questions Marks Marks (with two sub-points) | 16 10 | 16 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 |
NIOS 12th Political Science Exam Pattern 2025
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) | 15 | 2 | 30 |
(fill in the blanks, Match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one- word questions, True/False, etc) | |||
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 internal choice
** 3 Questions will have internal choice
*** 1 Question will have an internal choice
NIOS Class 12 Economics Exam Pattern 2025
TYPES OF QUESTIONS | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | MARKS for each question | MARKS ALLOTTED |
OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS | 20 | 1 | 20 |
1 Marks (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 Class Commerce (Business Studies) Exam Pattern
The business studies exam will have a total score of 100 marks and students are required to attempt the question paper in 3 hours.
Types of question | No. Of question | Marks per question | Total marks | |
OBJECTIVE | 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 Accountancy Exam Pattern 2025
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 2025 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: *approx 50 per cent of questions have an internal choice in subjective type questions only.
NIOS Class 12 Psychology Exam Pattern 2025
Types of Questions | No. of Questions | Marks per Questions | Total marks |
MCQ | 20 | 1 | 20 |
OBJ | 3 | 2 | 6 |
6 | 4 | 24 | |
VSA | 6* | 2 | 12 |
SA | 6** | 3 | 18 |
LA | 4*** | 5 | 20 |
Total | 45 | 100 |
Note:
*3 questions have internal choices
**4 questions have internal choices
***2 questions have internal choices
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2025 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 2025
The sociology exam has a total score of 100 marks which students have to solve in under 3 hours. Sociology exam paper also has optional sections and students can choose the questions they know over the other questions.
Forms of Questions | No. of Questions | Marks | |
1 | Objective Type Questions (# & $) | MM x No. of Ques. | |
# | 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 | |
2 | Very Short Answer (VSA) – 2# | 2 x 7 | 14 |
3 | Short Answer (SA) – 3## | 3 x 7 | 21 |
4 | 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 2025 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 | 01*2 | 3 | 8 | 21 | 3 | 24 |
i. 1*2=2 marks (with two | + | |||||
sub-parts) | 4 | |||||
ii. (VSA, One word, Fill in the blanks T/F) | ||||||
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)
The National Institute of Open Schooling publishes the NIOS 12th class examination.
Candidates will have 3 hours to attempt the exam of each NIOS class 12 subject.
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.
Students can visit the official website of the NIOS at nios.ac.in to download the NIOS 12th exam pattern 2025.
The institute conducts the NIOS class 12 examination in two sessions.
Questions related to NIOS Class 12
On Question asked by student community
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!!