NIOS 12th Exam Pattern is released by National Institute of Open Schooling every year on the official website. Students must go through the NIOS Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 to have an insight into the type of questions and the marking scheme.
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The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) releases the Class 12 exam pattern every year to guide students in their preparation. For the NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026, each subject carries a total of 100 marks, which are divided into theory, practical, and internal assessment components. The theory exam is allotted 60 marks, while the practical exam carries 30 marks for subjects that include a practical component, and the internal assessment is given a weightage of 10 marks. The duration of each theory paper is 3 hours, whereas the Painting exam is conducted for 1.5 hours. Students can choose their optional subjects from the list provided by NIOS and are advised to carefully go through the complete syllabus and cover all topics well in advance. The NIOS Class 12 Registration 2026 process will be opened soon, and the official notification will include the revised exam pattern along with other important details. By reviewing the subject-wise exam pattern and marking scheme for NIOS Class 12 in 2026, students can gain better clarity on the structure of the exam and prepare more effectively.
Also Read:
NIOS 12th Syllabus 2026
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights
The table below shows some of the main highlights and factors related to the NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026:
Exam Mode | Offline |
|---|---|
Medium | Hindi & English |
Duration | 3 Hours |
Type of Questions | Multiple Choice, Long/Short Questions |
Subjects | Science, Commerce, Arts |
Total Marks | 100 |
Negative Marking | No Negative Marking |
Theory Exam | 60 |
Practical Exam | 30 |
Internal Assessment | 10 |
Passing Marks | 33% Aggregate in Each Subject & Overall |
NIOS 12th Exam Duration 2026
For NIOS Class 12 exams, students will be given a total time of 3 hours. The optional papers including Mass Communication and Painting will be conducted for less duration. The details for all subjects are mentioned below:
Subjects | Marks | Time duration |
|---|---|---|
Commerce (Business studies) | 100 | 3 hours |
Home Science | 100 | 3 hours |
Accountancy | 100 | 3 hours |
Sociology | 100 | 3 hours |
Chemistry | 80 | 3 hours |
Geography | 80 | 3 hours |
English | 100 | 3 hours |
History | 80 | 3 hours |
Mass Communication | 80 | 3 hours |
Painting | 30 | 1 hour and 30 minutes |
Subject-wise NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026
While it is important for students to learn about the NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026, the pattern for the individual subject may vary in a few aspects. Hence, the students should also go through the subject-wise pattern to understand the nature of the questions. The following section will talk about the subject-wise NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026:
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026 for English
As per the NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026, the English paper will be conducted for a total of 3 hours duration. The total marks for the exam will be 100. Given below is the section-wise exam pattern for the subject:
Sections | Marks |
|---|---|
Poetry (prescribed texts) | 20 Marks |
Prose (prescribed texts) | 15 Marks |
Comprehension & Vocabulary (non- prescribed texts) | 25 Marks |
Grammar | 15 Marks |
Writing Skills | 20 Marks |
| Optional modules | 15 Marks |
| Total | 100 Marks |
Also Read: NIOS 12th Previous Year Question Paper
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026 for Mathematics
As per the NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026, the Mathematics paper will be conducted for a total of 3 hours duration. The total marks for the exam will be 100. There will be internal assessments for 10 marks which will be conducted by respective schools. The students will have to acquire a minimum of 33% aggregate marks in the subject to pass. Given below is the section-wise exam pattern for the subject:
Weightage by Content
| Chapters | Marks |
|---|---|
| Co-ordinate Geometry | 15 |
| Algebra-II | 17 |
| Relations and Functions | 12 |
| Calculus | 30 |
| Vectors and Three Dimensional Geometry | 17 |
| Linear Programming and Mathematical Reasoning | 9 |
| Total | 100 |
Weightage by type of Questions
| Optional modules | No. of questions | Marks per question | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (1 mark) | 20 | 1 | 20 |
|
Objective Type Questions
(1*2 = 2 marks) (with 2 sub-parts of 1 mark each) | 4 | 2 | 8 |
|
Objective Type Questions
(1*4 = 4 marks) (with 4 sub-parts of 1 mark each) | 4 | 4 | 16 |
|
Objective Type Questions
(1*6 = 6 marks) (with 6 sub-parts of 1 mark each) | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Very Short Answer (2 marks questions) | 9 | 2 | 18 |
| Short Answer(SA) (4 marks questions) | 5 | 4 | 20 |
| Long Answer(LA) (6 marks questions) | 2 | 6 | 12 |
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026 for Physics
As per the NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026, the Physics paper will be conducted for a total of 3 hours duration. The total marks for the exam will be 70. Students must achieve a minimum of 33% aggregate marks in the subject to pass. Given below is the section-wise exam pattern for the subject:
Topics | Marks |
|---|---|
Motion, force, and Energy | 14 |
Mechanics of Solid and Fluid | 06 |
Thermal Physics | 06 |
Oscillation and Wave | 06 |
Electricity and Magnetism | 16 |
Optics and Optical Instruments | 14 |
Atoms and Nuclei | 08 |
Semiconductor Devices and Communication | 10 |
Total | 80 |
Weightage by type of questions
| Type of Question | No. of questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| MCQ (1 mark) | 16 | 16 |
|
Objective Type Questions (1*2 = 2 marks)
(with 2 sub-parts of 1 mark each) [Fill in the blanks, match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one-word questions, True False, etc.] | 12 | 24 |
| Very Short Answer (2 marks) | 9 | 18 |
| Short Answer (SA) (3 marks) | 4 | 12 |
| Long Answer (LA) (5 marks) | 2 | 10 |
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026 for Chemistry
As per the NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026, the Chemistry paper will be conducted for a total of 3 hours duration. Given below is the section-wise exam pattern for the subject:
Chapters | Marks |
|---|---|
Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry | 04 |
Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding | 10 |
States of Matter | 08 |
Chemical Energetics | 06 |
Chemical Dynamics | 12 |
Chemistry of Elements | 18 |
Chemistry of Organic Compounds | 18 |
Chemistry in Everyday Life | 04 |
| Total | 80 |
Weightage by type of questions
| Type of Question | No. of questions | Marks per question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective Type Questions | |||
| MCQ (1 mark) | 16 | 1 | 16 |
|
2×12=24 Marks Objective type points each are of 1 marks)
[Fill in the blanks, match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one-word questions, True False, etc.] | 12 | 2 | 24 |
| Subjective Type Questions | |||
| Very Short Answer (VSA) -2 | 9 | 2 | 18 |
| Short Answer (SA) (3 marks) | 4 | 3 | 12 |
| Long Answer (LA) (5 marks) | 2 | 5 | 10 |
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026 for Biology
As per the NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026, the Biology paper will be conducted for a total of 3 hours duration. Given below is the section-wise exam pattern for the subject:
Chapters | 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 | 7 |
Total | 80 |
Weightage by type of Questions
| Type of Question | No. of questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Long Answer (LA) (5 marks) | 2 | 10 |
| Short Answer (SA) (3 marks) | 4 | 12 |
| Very Short Answer (2 marks) | 9 | 18 |
| MCQ (1 mark) | 16 | 16 |
|
Objective Type Questions (1*2 = 2 marks)
(with 2 sub-parts of 1 mark each) [Fill in the blanks, match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one-word questions, Flow Chart, Diagram Based, etc.] | 12 | 24 |
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026 for Business Studies
According to the NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026, the Business Studies paper will be conducted over a total of 3 hours. Given below is the section-wise exam pattern for the subject:
| Chapters | Marks |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Business | 15 |
| Business Management and Its Functions | 20 |
| Business Finance | 20 |
| Marketing | 15 |
| Trade | 15 |
| Avenues in Business and Employment | 15 |
Weightage by type of Questions
| Type of Question | No. of questions | Marks per question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective Type Questions | |||
| 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 |
| Very Short Answer (VSA) | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Short Answer (SA) | 6 | 3 | 18 |
| Long Answer (LA) | 4 | 5 | 20 |
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern - Marking Scheme
Similar to the exam pattern, the marking scheme is also different for different subjects in NIOS class 12th exam. Given below is the subject-wise marking scheme as per the NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026:
NIOS 12th Marking Scheme for English
Given in the table below is the NIOS 12th Marking scheme for English:
Sections | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
Literature | 30 |
Grammar | 30 |
Reading | 15 |
Writing | 25 |
NIOS 12th Marking Scheme for Mathematics
Given in the table below is the NIOS 12th Marking scheme for Mathematics:
Sections | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
Knowledge | 25 |
Understanding | 42 |
Application | 10 |
Skills | 8 |
Practicals | 15 |
NIOS 12th Marking scheme for Physics
Given in the table below is the NIOS 12th Marking scheme for Physics:
Sections | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
Knowledge | 25 |
Understanding | 42 |
Application | 10 |
Skills | 8 |
Practicals | 15 |
NIOS 12th Marking Scheme for Chemistry
Given in the table below is the NIOS 12th Marking scheme for Chemistry:
Sections | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
Knowledge | 25 |
Understanding | 42 |
Application | 10 |
Skills | 8 |
Practicals | 15 |
NIOS 12th Marking Scheme for Biology
Given in the table below is the NIOS 12th Marking scheme for Biology:
Sections | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
Knowledge | 25 |
Understanding | 42 |
Application | 10 |
Skills | 8 |
Practicals | 15 |
NIOS 12th Marking Scheme for Accountancy
Given in the table below is the NIOS 12th Marking scheme for Accountancy:
Sections | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
Knowledge | 20 |
Understanding | 50 |
Application | 20 |
NIOS 12th Marking Scheme for Business Studies
Given in the table below is the NIOS 12th Marking scheme for Business Studies:
Sections | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
Knowledge | 30 |
Understanding | 50 |
Application | 20 |
NIOS 12th Marking Scheme for History
Given in the table below is the NIOS 12th Marking scheme for History:
Sections | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
Knowledge | 20 |
Understanding | 50 |
Application | 20 |
NIOS 12th Exam Pattern for Internal Assessment
According to the NIOS 12th Exam Pattern 2026, the internal assessment will include a Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) for each subject, accounting for 10% of the overall score. Each TMA will feature a variety of question types, such as short, long, and project-based questions, with an emphasis on application-oriented inquiries.
Students can conveniently download the TMAs from the NIOS website and must submit them before the specified deadline. This assessment component is designed to evaluate students' understanding and practical application of concepts outside traditional exam settings.
NIOS 12th Grading System
The NIOS 12th Grading System is done on the basis of the percentage obtained by the students. The grading is done for each subject as well as overall. Given in the table below is the NIOS 12th Grading System:
Percentage in 12th | Grade | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
100% to 76% | A | Very Good |
75% to 51% | B | Good |
50% to 26% | C | Average |
25% to 0% | D | Fail/ Re-Appear |
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