NIOS is regulated by the Ministry of Education in India. NIOS students get the facility to complete the schooling with flexibility and quality. It is one of the three national boards [other two are Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE)]. It follows the national curriculum framework by NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training). Its certificates in secondary and senior secondary (10th grade and 12th grade) are equivalent to any other national board or state-board certificate.

Thousands of successful NIOS students are currently studying in prestigious institutions around the world including IITs and medical universities.

Students can choose the subjects according to their interest and ability. There is no restriction in subject combination, as in the schools. Thus, it gives them the advantage of specializing in the subjects that match their career goals and avoid the burden of studying unwanted subjects. In order to pass and get certified, only 5 subjects need to bepassed. Maximum seven subjects can be chosen. Even if the student fails in two subjects and pass in 5 subjects, the student will be awarded the certificate.

The board examinations are conducted twice a year. It gives the opportunity for a student to learn at his own pace. A student can write all subjects at once or space the examinations for each subject according to his convenience. There is also an option for writing examinations anytime, the student wishes to appear, through its unique “On Demand Examination” system.