NIOS Board Exams 2025: Students Face Confusion Over Vocational Subject Reclassification

Mumbai: As the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) conducts its Class 10 board examinations this month, confusion continues to cloud the status of two subjects—Data Entry Operations and Entrepreneurship—which have recently been reclassified as vocational.

Earlier, during the October 2024 examination cycle, a number of students were shocked to find they had been marked as having failed, despite securing passing marks in all five subjects. Their results displayed ‘XX’ in place of marks, a code that indicates ineligibility for a passing certificate.

The issue stemmed from a quiet shift in classification: both Data Entry Operations and Entrepreneurship, previously considered academic subjects, were moved under the vocational stream. Under NIOS rules, students must pass four academic subjects and one vocational subject to be deemed successful. With the reclassification, many students who had counted on these subjects to fulfil their academic requirements were left short.

Following a wave of student grievances, the board revised the affected results in February, rectifying the issue for those who had appeared in the previous session. However, with the current examination session now underway, many students and parents remain unaware or unclear about the change.

Although the reclassification was reportedly mentioned briefly in the NIOS prospectus, stakeholders argue it was not adequately communicated through the examination application process. As a result, students who opted for these subjects in good faith are now uncertain about how their results will be affected.

“There’s been no official circular, and that’s creating a lot of stress,” said an educational coordinator who mentors a number of secondary-level NIOS students. “Many of my students are from special categories and rely heavily on guidance. I myself haven’t received any formal communication, so I don’t know what to tell them.”

He expressed concern that a lack of transparency from the board could have a disproportionately negative impact on students who already face educational challenges.

An NIOS official, when contacted, assured that “no student will be placed at a disadvantage.” However, education experts warn that such reassurances, without a clear written directive, offer little comfort during the exam period. “Even if the board eventually offers relief, the psychological toll of uncertainty can be significant,” the coordinator added.

Stakeholders are urging the NIOS to issue an official statement clarifying the status of the reclassified subjects, stressing that only a formal directive can end the confusion and ease students’ anxiety during the ongoing exams.