NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2025: Latest NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

NIOS Class 12th Exam Pattern 2025 is available on the official website of NIOS. Candidates must thoroughly go through the NIOS class 12 exam pattern and marking scheme before getting into the exam preparation process.

Twinkle GuptaUpdated on : Mar 04 2025 16:37 IST

NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2025: The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) released the NIOS 12th exam pattern on its official website. Candidates must carefully go through the NIOS class 12 exam pattern and marking scheme for the relevant subjects. The institute also released the sample papers/practice papers for all class 12 subjects on its official website - nios.ac.in. Candidates can refer to them while preparing for the NIOS 12th exam 2025.

As per the latest NIOS 12th exam pattern, candidates must select a minimum of 5 subjects including at least one but not more than two language subjects. Candidates are also allowed to choose two additional subjects apart from the five core subjects. It must be noted that candidates can also choose a third language as an additional subject. Candidates appearing for NIOS class 12 exam 2025 must strategically choose their subjects for the open school examinations. The subjects chosen by the candidates must align with their future educational plans and vision for their career ahead.

NIOS 12th Syllabus 2025

NIOS 12th Question Papers 2025

NIOS 12th Exam 2025 Official Website

For more information related to NIOS Senior Secondary exams 2025, candidates can visit the official website of NIOS - nios.ac.in given below.

NIOS 12th Exam 2025 Official Website

NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025: Highlights

Candidates must be aware of the following points with regard to the NIOS 12th exam pattern 2025:

They must select a minimum of 5 subjects including one language or at most two language subjects
Candidates can also choose two additional subjects apart from the five core subjects
Candidates must note that they can choose a third language, if they wish to, as an additional subject
Candidates are advised to choose the subjects that are relevant to their future educational and career plans

Candidates are required to choose their subjects for the NIOS 12th exam 2025 from the following group of subjects:

Groups	Subjects
Group A	Hindi English Urdu Sanskrit Gujarati Bengali Tamil Odia Urdu Punjabi Arabic Persian Malayalam Sindhi
Group B	Mathematics Home Science Psychology Geography Economics Business Studies Painting Data Entry Operations Gender Studies Early Childhood Care & Education Veda Adhyan Sanskrit Vyakaran Bharatiya Darshan Sanskrit Sahitya Natyakala
Group C	Physics History Environmental Science Library and Information and Science
Group D	Chemistry Political Science Mass Communication Military Studies
Group E	Biology Accountancy Introduction to Law Military History
Group F	Computer Science Sociology Tourism Physical Education and Yog

Note - Candidates can only opt for one subject each from Group C, D, E and F.

NIOS Class 12th Exam Pattern 2025

Unit	Weightage (in terms of Marks)
Prescribed Texts (Prose + Poetry)	25
Non Prescribed Text	25
Grammar	15
Functional Writing Skills	20
Optional Modules	15
Total	100 Marks

Type of Questions	Core Section A	Optional Section B
Type of Questions	Core Section A	B1	B2
Long Answer Questions	3 questions X 5 marks each = 15 1 question X 6 mark = 6	-	1 questions X 6 marks = 6 1 question X 4 marks = 4
Short Answer Questions	1 question X 4 marks each = 4 13 questions X 2 marks each = 26	-
Very Short Answer Questions	34 questions X 1 mark each = 34	4 questions X ½ mark each = 2 13 questions X 1 mark each = 13	5 questions X 1 mark each = 5
Total Marks	85 Marks	15 Marks	15 Marks

Module	Weightage (in terms of Marks)
Diversity and Evolution of Life	12
Form and function of plants and animals	26
Reproduction and Heredity	22
Environment & Health	13
Emerging Areas in Biology	07
Total	80 Marks

Type of Questions in the question paper	Marks × No. of Questions	Total Marks
Essay (E)	6 × 4	24
Short Answers I (SA1)	4 × 6	24
Short Answers II (SA2)	2 × 12	24
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)	1 × 8	8
Grand Total	30 questions	80 Marks

Unit	Weightage (in terms of Marks)
Individual and the State	14
Aspects of the Constitution of India	15
Structure of Government	17
Democracy at Work	12
Major Contemporary Issues	15
India And the World	12
Optional Module World Order and the United Nations OR Administrative System of India	15
Total	100 Marks

Type of Questions in the question paper	No. of Questions X Marks per question	Total Marks
Long Answers	5 × 8	40
Short Answers	8 × 5	40
Very Short Answers	10 × 2	20
Grand Total	30 questions	100 Marks

Module	Weightage (in terms of Marks)
Sociology: Basic Concepts	30
Social Institutions and Social Stratification	12
Social Change, Socialization and Social Control	13
Indian Society	30
Optional Status of Women OR Culture	15
Total	100 Marks

Type of Questions in the question paper	Marks per question X No. of Questions	Total Marks
Long Answer	6 X 4	24
Short Answer 1	4 X 8	32
Short Answer 2	3 X 11	33
Very Short Answer 1	2 X 1	2
Very Short Answer 2	1 X 9	9
Grand Total		100 Marks

Module	Weightage (in terms of Marks)
Introduction to Mass Communication	7
Print Media	12
Radio	12
Television	12
Advertising and Public Relations	12
New Media	10
Optional Modules Traditional Media OR Photojournalism	15
Total Marks (Theory)	80
Total Marks (Practical)	20
Grand Total	100 Marks

Module	Weightage (in terms of Marks)
Module 1 : Environment through Ages	5
Module 2 : Ecological Concept and Issues	12
Module 3 : Human Impact of Environment	7
Module 4 : Contemporary Environmental Issues	15
Module 5 : Environmental Conservation	14
Module 6 : Sustainable Development	7
Module 7 Environmental Management	8
Optional Module 8A : Water Resource Management OR Optional module 8B : Energy and Environment	12
Total Marks (Theory)	80
Total Marks (Practical)	20
Grand Total	100 Marks

Module	Weightage (in terms of Marks)
Module 1	10
Module 2	10
Module 3	15
Module 4	25
Module 5	20
Module 6	20
Total	100 Marks

Type of Questions in the question paper	No. of Questions X Marks per question	Total Marks
Long Answer Type	5 X 6	30
Short Answer	12 X 4	48
Very Short Answer	7 X 2	14
MCQ	8 X 1	08
Grand Total		100 Marks

Module	Weightage (in terms of Marks)
Module 1	13
Module 2	13
Module 3	14
Module 4	20
Module 5	20
Module 6	20
Total	100 Marks

Type of Questions in the question paper	No. of Questions X Marks per question	Total Marks
Long Answer Type	6 X 6	36
Short Answer	12 X 4	48
Very Short Answer	6 X 2	12
MCQ	4 X 1	04
Grand Total		100 Marks

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the certification criteria for the NIOS senior secondary (class 12) course?

Candidates must pass in five subjects including at least one but not more than two language subjects.

How many additional subjects can I take for the NIOS 12th exam 2025?

Candidates can choose up to two additional subjects for the NIOS class 12 exam 2025.

Will I have to pay an additional fee for choosing additional subjects?

Yes, candidates are required to pay Rs 720/- for each additional subject that they choose.

Can I choose three language subjects for appearing in the NIOS class 12 examination 2025?

As per the NIOS norms, candidates are required to choose a minimum of 5 subjects including at least one but not more than two language subjects. However, candidates can choose a third language subject as an additional subject.

How to download NIOS 12th exam pattern and sample papers online?

Candidates can download the NIOS 12th exam pattern 2025 and sample papers for the relevant subjects from the official website of NIOS.

What are the passing marks for the NIOS 12th exam 2025?

Candidates must score a minimum of 33% marks separately in theory and practical exams (wherever applicable) and also in aggregate in order to pass the NIOS 12th examination.

In which mode will the NIOS class 12 exams 2025 be conducted?

This year, the NIOS class 12 examination will be conducted in the offline mode. The class 12 examination will be conducted at the various NIOS authorised examination centres.

On what basis should I choose the subjects for the NIOS 12th examination?

Candidates must choose the subjects for NIOS 12th exam very carefully. The subjects they choose must be relevant to their future higher education and career plans.

What sources should I refer to while preparing for the NIOS 12th exam 2025?

Candidates are advised to refer to the NIOS course material for exam preparation. Once they have thoroughly studied the NIOS course material, they can move on to other reference books, if required. The NIOS course material is easily available on the official NIOS website.