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NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026: Subjects, Marking Scheme, Grading & FAQs

• Updated on Jul 22, 2025 by Shreya Panagria

The NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026 includes offline exams in English and Hindi, lasting 3 hours, with subjects from Science, Commerce, and Arts streams. The question paper features multiple-choice, short, long, and competency-based questions. Students need at least 30% marks in each subject and overall to pass.

 

The syllabus is divided into two groups: Group A includes languages like English, Hindi, and others, where the exam lasts 3 hours and carries 100 marks. Group B has subjects like Science, Social Science, Mathematics, and practical subjects with different exam times and marks. Some subjects also have practical exams to test hands-on skills.

 

When preparing, students should check the NIOS Class 10 Exam Syllabus 2026 to know which topics to focus on for theory and practical exams. Each subject’s marks are split into parts like knowledge, understanding, application, and practical skills. This clear pattern helps students organize their study plan and get ready for the exam confidently.

 

Table of Contents
  1. NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights
  2. NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026: Subject Wise
  3. NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme
  4. NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026: Grading System
  5. NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs

 

NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights

The NIOS Class 10 Exam 2026 follows an offline mode with English and Hindi as mediums. The total duration of the exam is 3 hours, covering Science, Commerce, and Arts streams. The question paper includes competency-based, multiple-choice, and long/short questions. Candidates need a minimum of 30% aggregate to pass each subject and overall.

Particular

Details

Mode of Examination

Offline

Medium of Examination

English & Hindi

Total Time Duration

3 Hours

Type of Questions

Competency-Based, Multiple Choice, Long/Short Answer

Streams

Science, Commerce, Arts

Total Marks

100

Negative Marking

Not Applicable (NA)

Theory Exam Marks

80

Internal Assessment Marks

20

Passing Marks

30% Aggregate in Each Subject & Overall

 

NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026: Subject Wise

The NIOS Class 10 Exam 2026 offers a variety of subjects divided into Group A and Group B. Group A mainly includes languages with a 3-hour duration and 100 marks. Group B covers diverse academic and practical subjects with varying marks and exam durations, catering to different streams & skill areas.

Subject Group

Subjects

Marks

Duration (Hours)

Group A

English, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Punjabi, Nepali, Assamese, Marathi, Sanskrit, Malayalam, Odia, Arabic, Persian, Tamil

100

3

Group B

Indian Culture and Heritage

100

3

Social Science

100

3

Science (Theory)

85

2.5

Science (Practical)

15

3

Mathematics (Theory)

85

2.5

Mathematics (Practical)

15

3

Home Science (Theory)

85

2.5

Home Science (Practical)

15

3

Painting (Theory)

30

1.5

Painting (Practical)

70

3

Accountancy

100

3

Psychology

100

3

Economics

100

3

Business Studies

100

3

Data Entry Operations (Theory)

40

2

Data Entry Operations (Practical)

60

2

Also Check: NIOS Class 10 Preparation 2026

 

NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme

The NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026 includes detailed marking schemes for each subject, focusing on different skill areas like knowledge, understanding, application & practicals. This breakdown helps students understand how marks are distributed across theory and practical components for effective preparation.

Subject

Marking scheme

English

Reading: 15 marks

 

Writing: 25 marks

 

Grammar: 30 marks

 

Literature: 30 marks

Mathematics

Knowledge: 25 marks

 

Understanding: 42 marks

 

Application: 10 marks

 

Skills: 8 marks

 

Practicals: 15 marks

Social Science

Knowledge: 30 marks

 

Understanding: 48 marks

 

Application: 14 marks

 

Skill: 8 marks

Economics

Knowledge: 30

 

Understanding: 50

 

Application: 20

Business Studies

Knowledge: 30

 

Understanding: 50

 

Application: 20

Home Science

Knowledge: 25 marks

 

Understanding: 42 marks

 

Application: 10 marks

 

Skills: 8 marks

 

Practicals: 15 marks

Psychology

Knowledge: 30 marks

 

Understanding: 50 marks

 

Application: 20 marks

Indian Culture and Heritage

Knowledge: 30 marks

 

Understanding: 50 marks

 

Application: 20 marks

Accountancy

Knowledge: 20 marks

 

Understanding: 50 marks

 

Application: 20 marks

Painting

Knowledge: 10 marks

 

Understanding: 15 marks

 

Application: 5 marks

 

Practical: 30 marks

Data Entry Operations

Theory: 40 marks

 

Practicals: 60 marks

 

NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026: Grading System

The NIOS Class 10 grading system has two parts: Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and final exams. For subjects without practicals, TMAs are 20 marks and the final exam is 80 marks. For subjects with practicals, marks are divided between exams, TMAs, and practicals, totaling 100 marks.

Subject Type

Components

Marks

Scaled Marks

Total Marks

Group A (No Practicals)

Final Exam

100

80

 

Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs)

20

20

 

Total

  

100

Group B (With Practicals)

Final Exam

85

64

 

Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs)

20

16

 

Practicals

20

20

 

Total

  

100

 

NIOS Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs

What is the mode of the NIOS Class 10 Exam 2026?

The NIOS Class 10 Exam 2026 will be conducted in offline mode.

Which mediums are available for the NIOS Class 10 Exam 2026?

The exam will be conducted in English and Hindi mediums.

How long is the total duration of the NIOS Class 10 Exam 2026?

The total duration of the NIOS Class 10 Exam 2026 is 3 hours.

What types of questions are asked in the NIOS Class 10 Exam 2026?

The exam includes competency-based questions, multiple choice questions, and long/short answer questions.

What is the passing criteria for NIOS Class 10 Exam 2026?

Candidates need to score a minimum of 30% aggregate marks in each subject and overall to pass.

How many marks are allocated for theory and internal assessment in NIOS Class 10 Exam 2026?

The theory exam is for 80 marks, and internal assessment is for 20 marks, totaling 100 marks.

What are the major subject groups in NIOS Class 10 Exam 2026?

The subjects are divided into Group A (languages) and Group B (academic and practical subjects).

How are marks distributed in NIOS Class 10 practical subjects for 2026?

For practical subjects, the final exam is scaled to 64 marks, TMAs to 16 marks, and practicals to 20 marks, totaling 100 marks.

What is the marking scheme for the English subject in NIOS Class 10 Exam 2026?

English marks are divided as Reading (15), Writing (25), Grammar (30), and Literature (30).

How are Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) weighted in the NIOS Class 10 grading system?

TMAs contribute 20 marks, with 20% weightage for subjects without practicals and scaled accordingly for subjects with practicals.