The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), formerly National Open School, (name changed in 2002) is the board of education under the Union Government of India. The NIOS is a national board that administers examinations for Secondary and Senior Secondary examinations similar to the CBSE and the CISCE.

NIOS board has majorly benefitted children with disabilities, special educational needs and the ones pursuing alternative careers like sports. The strength of the board is the flexibility in attempts (once registered, examination attempts are valid up to 5 years), break up of subject combinations as per ability and preparation instead of appearing all at once, and a wide range of options in subjects to choose as per the ability, interest and strength of the child. At every level there is an opportunity to select a vocational subject of choice and interest. The students are allowed to change/add subjects/ combine one vocational subject. They can even transfer marks of 2 subjects from other boards at the secondary level and higher secondary level. The exams are conducted every 6 months. Additionally there is no upper age limit for learners. Such added provisions make the educational process smooth and reduce the academic stress for the students, parents and teachers.