In order to reach more students throughout Tamil Nadu, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) plans to start offering senior secondary programs (Classes XI and XII) in Tamil starting from the next academic year.
The goal of this initiative is to attract rural students who prefer to study in their native language, as well as school dropouts who wish to continue their education. At present, NIOS offers Tamil medium only at the secondary level (Classes IX and X).
📘 Tamil Medium Education Extension
“Our goal was to expand the use of Tamil to higher secondary education. To cover all the categories that Tamil Nadu students choose, we plan to translate 20 to 25 subjects into Tamil,” said V. Santhanam, Regional Director of NIOS, Chennai.
At the senior secondary level, NIOS currently offers 44 subjects, including 11 languages. The Tamil Nadu Government has also granted equivalency status for Classes X and XII, ensuring that NIOS certificates are recognized for higher education and employment opportunities within the state.
Since this recognition, about 11,000 students from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have already registered for secondary and senior secondary examinations. According to Santhanam, extending the Tamil medium to higher secondary will encourage greater participation from rural and economically disadvantaged students.
🧾 Adaptable Education and On-Demand Exams
With its twice-yearly public examinations and on-demand exam system, NIOS continues to offer flexibility for learners. Students can choose subjects based on their interests and goals — for example, one language with four subjects or two languages with three subjects, depending on their study plan.
🏃♂️ New Sports-Related Subjects
NIOS also plans to introduce sports-related courses to support young athletes. Secondary students will soon have access to courses such as Yoga, Food Science and Basic Nutrition, and Sports Management.
At the senior secondary level, Yogic Sciences and Sports Management will be offered in partnership with the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University.
Vocational Education for Rural Students
The Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) and NIOS have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce vocational and diploma programs aimed at farmers and rural youth.
These include:
- Certificate programs in Poultry Farming and Vermi Composting
- Diploma programs in Bakery & Confectionery Product Preparation and Food & Beverage Operations
According to Akilesh Mishra, Chairman of NIOS, these programs are designed to increase skilled manpower and improve livelihood opportunities for students in rural areas.
🎓 Learn More About NIOS and Its Programs
To learn more about NIOS admissions, subjects, eligibility, and flexible learning options, visit 👉Open School NIOS Admission, Eligibility & Details.
