NEW DELHI: In an effort to reduce dropout rates and reintegrate struggling students into the formal education system, the Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), has released comprehensive guidelines for the registration of students into Class X under the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) Project.The circular, issued on May 9, 2025, targetsgovernment school students who have failed or received a compartment in Class IX or X for at least two academic sessions up to 2024–25.The NIOS Project, a specialised initiative under the DoE, aims to support students at risk of dropping out by providing them with an alternate route to complete their secondary education. Once students successfully pass Class X through NIOS, they can be readmitted into their parent school, thus continuing their formal education journey.Eligibility criteria for NIOS admission under DoEAs per the guidelines, only those students who have failed or received a compartment in Class IX or X for a minimum of two times until the session 2024–25 are eligible to register for Class X under the NIOS Project. Importantly, students who have failed for the first time in the session 2024–25 are not eligible under this scheme and are expected to continue their studies in the same school. Additionally, eligibility is restricted to students whose School Leaving Certificate (SLC) has not yet been issued.All Heads of Schools (HOSs) are responsible for identifying and contacting eligible students and ensuring they are informed about the scheme. A copy of the circular must be provided to each eligible student by the HOS.Registration, study centres, and subject optionsRegistration will be carried out online through the MIS Module by the HOS of the respective parent school. Classes for both boys and girls will be conducted at approximately 75 designated government school-based study centres across Delhi. The number of centres may vary depending on student enrolment.Students are required to choose two language subjects from Hindi (201), English (202), and Sanskrit (209), along with the compulsory subject Social Science (213). Additionally, they can choose any two from Home Science (216), Painting (225), and Science and Technology (212), all of which include practicals. Data Entry Operations (229) may be chosen as an optional additional subject.Transfer of credit and fee structureNIOS allows a Transfer of Credit (TOC) facility for up to two subjects in which the student has passed in a previous CBSE Class X examination. The TOC fee is Rs. 230 per subject and is to be borne by the student. The DoE will cover the registration-cum-admission fee for five subjects. However, if a student opts for a sixth subject, they must pay an additional Rs. 940.The examination fee is Rs. 300 per subject, while practical subjects require an additional Rs. 150 per subject. All fees must be deposited through the prescribed challan at a State Bank of India branch within Delhi.Example fee calculations and required documentationFor instance, a student like Ms Sarita who opts for TOC in two subjects and appears in three others with two practical components must pay Rs. 1,660. Another student, like Master Ramesh, choosing six subjects including three practicals, must pay Rs. 3,190.Required documents include two recent passport-sized photographs, Aadhar card, bank passbook for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of uniform subsidy, mark sheets of Class IX/X, and TOC-relevant mark sheets. A No Objection Certificate (NOC) signed by parents and the student’s signature on the photographs are also mandatory.Submission process and responsibilities of schoolsAfter completing the online registration, HOS must print application forms, collect student and parent signatures, and submit the forms along with original documents to the HOS of the designated NIOS Study Centre. One complete set of documents should be retained at the parent school.A dedicated NIOS in-charge teacher must be appointed in each school to manage student records. The safety and academic monitoring of students fall under the responsibility of the study centre’s HOS.The last date for submission of online applications and fees is July 31, 2025.
