On this page
Most NIOS guides start at Class 10, because that's the first board exam. But if your child is homeschooling in the primary or middle years, you may want something on paper before then. That is what NIOS Open Basic Education is for. This guide covers only what NIOS itself publishes.
What is NIOS OBE?
Open Basic Education is NIOS's programme for elementary education, run in partnership with organisations NIOS has accredited. It started in June 1994 and was extended to children aged 6–14 in 2000. NIOS states that the programme is recognised by the Government of India as equivalent to formal school for the purpose of further education and employment.
- Level A: equivalent to Class 3 (covers Classes 1–3)
- Level B: equivalent to Class 5 (covers Classes 4–5)
- Level C: equivalent to Class 8 (covers Classes 6–8)
There are two tracks: one for children below 14, and one for adolescents and adults aged 14 and above.
Minimum age for each level
Under the NIOS OBE guidelines, a child must have reached these ages as on 31 March of the year of admission:
- Level A: at least 7 years
- Level B: at least 9 years
- Level C: at least 12 years
- No upper age limit
The age rule is set separately for each level, and the online registration form asks which level you're applying for. The accredited agency can help you decide which level fits your child.
Subjects and medium
Each level has one language plus three subjects (four at Level C), and one of them must be a pre-vocational subject. For children below 14, the guidelines list these options:
- Level A and B: one language + any three of Environmental Studies, Maths, Basic Computer Skills and a pre-vocational subject
- Level C: one language + any four of Science, Social Science, Maths, Basic Computer Skills and a pre-vocational subject
- A learner can take up to seven subjects in all
- Medium of study: Hindi, English, Urdu or a regional language
The guidelines plan for at least 100 hours of study per subject, and the minimum duration of each level is one academic year.
How OBE admission works
OBE is delivered through Accredited Agencies (AAs): institutions that NIOS has approved to teach and examine OBE learners. NIOS advises families to contact an agency near them; the official list of accredited agencies for OBE is on the NIOS website.
NIOS also has an online OBE registration on its admissions site. You choose your state, give an identity document, pick the level (A, B or C), then choose subjects and upload documents.
Documents you'll need
- Proof of date of birth: birth certificate, school leaving or transfer certificate, or an Aadhaar card that shows the full date of birth
- Proof of residence: for example Aadhaar, ration card, a utility bill, a rent agreement or a parent's passport for a minor
- A recent photograph
Fees
NIOS doesn't publish a single OBE fee for families. Each accredited agency sets its own fee for admission, study material, classes and exams, so ask the agency for the full cost in writing before you pay.
Exams and certificates
- Exams are set and conducted by the accredited agency, following NIOS norms, and NIOS monitors them
- Your child can take the first exam at a level at least nine months after admission
- Passed subjects are kept (credit accumulation); the certificate is issued once every subject of the level is cleared
- Admission to a level is valid for five years
- The certificate is issued jointly by NIOS and the accredited agency
The most recent exam was in February 2026, and NIOS declared the results on 29 April 2026 (Notification 7/2026). 6,831 learners were registered at Level A, 6,480 at Level B and 5,604 at Level C. Of those who appeared, 94.1% were certified at Level A, 96.5% at Level B and 93.6% at Level C.
Does your child need OBE before NIOS Class 10?
No. NIOS Secondary (Class 10) needs a minimum age of 14 and no Class 8 certificate, so a homeschooled child can register for Class 10 directly. Our NIOS admission guide covers that step.
OBE is worth considering when you want a recognised record of your child's level before 14 — for example, if you might move your child into a school later, or you need proof of education for an application. Whether a particular school accepts an OBE certificate for admission is that school's decision, so ask before you rely on it.
Finding an educator for the primary and middle years
OBE agencies run their own classes, but many homeschooling families also want one-to-one help with maths, science or a language at home. On HomeLearn you can search verified educators by city, subject and class, for home visits or online sessions.