Everything you need to know about the NIOS–DGT Integrated Certification Scheme.
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What is the NIOS–DGT Integrated Certification Scheme?
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It is a scheme under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the Directorate General of Training (DGT). The scheme allows ITI/NSTI learners enrolled under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) or Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS) to simultaneously earn a NIOS Secondary (Class 10) or Senior Secondary (Class 12) certification, without attending a separate school.
In short: Study at ITI for your trade AND get Class 10/12 certified by NIOS — at the same time.
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Can I enroll in NIOS while I am still studying in ITI?
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Yes — simultaneous enrollment is a core feature of this scheme. Learners joining 2-year courses in ITI/NSTI under CTS after Class VIII or Class X can immediately register with NIOS. Similarly, learners joining 1-year courses can also enroll simultaneously (subject to eligibility conditions). You do not need to wait until you complete your ITI trade.
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What is Transfer of Credit (ToC) and how does it help me?
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Transfer of Credit (ToC) means that the subjects you study in your ITI trade (under CTS/ATS) are accepted by NIOS as equivalent to academic subjects. Your ITI marks are transferred directly to NIOS as credit — you don't need to reappear in those subjects under NIOS.
- 2-Year NTC learners: Up to 4 ITI subjects credited to NIOS
- 1-Year NTC learners: Up to 3 ITI subjects credited to NIOS
- This means you only study 1 or 2 new subjects from NIOS instead of all 5
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How many subjects do I need to study from NIOS?
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The total requirement is 5 subjects for certification. Most are covered by ToC from ITI:
- 2-Year NTC / NTC+NAC learners: Only 1 subject from NIOS (a language from Group A)
- 1-Year NTC learners: 2 subjects from NIOS (1 language from Group A + 1 other subject)
- Additionally, learners can optionally take up to 2 more subjects from any NIOS group to improve their academic profile
You must include at least one language subject from Group A of NIOS — this is mandatory for all learners.
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I completed my ITI 3 years ago. Can I still apply?
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Yes. Learners who have already completed one or two-year NSQF-compliant courses from ITI/NSTI under CTS or 01-year NTC plus 01-year NAC can also enroll with NIOS — provided the NSQF qualification is not older than 10 years from the date of registration/admission to NIOS. So if you completed ITI 3 years ago, you are fully eligible.
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Is the NIOS certificate recognized by colleges and for government jobs?
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Yes. NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) is a national board under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Its Secondary and Senior Secondary certificates are recognized by:
- All universities and higher education institutions across India (as per UGC and AICTE norms)
- Government departments for job applications requiring Class 10/12 qualification
- State and Central government competitive examinations
- Private sector employers
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Where will I study the NIOS subjects?
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NIOS will accredit willing ITIs affiliated with DGT as Special Accredited Institutions for Academic and Skill Development (SAIASD). These accredited ITIs serve as your study centres for NIOS academic subjects. So you can study both your trade and the NIOS language/academic subjects right at your ITI campus. Study material is also available online through NIOS.
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Do I need to appear in a Board examination like CBSE/state board students?
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No. NIOS conducts its own examinations as per its Examination Bye-Laws. You appear only in NIOS examinations for the 1 or 2 academic subjects you enroll in. NIOS offers both scheduled and on-demand examination options, giving you flexibility in when you appear. You do not need to follow the CBSE or state board examination calendar.
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What if I'm a 1-year ITI learner who wants Class 12 (Senior Secondary)?
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For students of 1-year duration CTS trades with Class X seeking to acquire Class XII certification: a minimum gestation period of 2 years from the year of passing the Secondary examination is required as an eligibility condition. This means you would enroll in NIOS but would need to wait the requisite period before the Class 12 certification is issued. Your ITI enrollment and NIOS registration can happen simultaneously.
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How will NIOS verify my ITI marks for Transfer of Credit?
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DGT is responsible for ensuring that the results of ITI/NSTI learners are available online on the NCVT MIS (Management Information System) portal. NIOS will verify your ITI marks through this portal for the purpose of processing the Transfer of Credit. You do not need to separately submit physical mark sheets for ToC in most cases — the online data is used directly.
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What language subjects are available from NIOS Group A?
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NIOS Group A includes a wide range of language subjects including Hindi, English, Urdu, Sanskrit, Odia, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Nepali, and several others. You can choose the language that suits you best. All learners must select at least one Group A language subject as part of their NIOS enrollment.
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How do I apply? What is the process?
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- Step 1: Visit www.nios.ac.in or use the link provided on DGT's official website (www.dgt.gov.in)
- Step 2: Select the appropriate programme — Secondary or Senior Secondary
- Step 3: Fill in your personal and educational details, including your ITI trade details
- Step 4: Select your language subject and any additional NIOS subjects
- Step 5: Pay the applicable admission and subject fees online
- Step 6: Receive enrollment confirmation; collect study material from NIOS
- Step 7: Attend academic sessions at your ITI (SAIASD) for NIOS subjects
- Step 8: Appear in NIOS examination when ready
Admission is governed by NIOS norms prescribed from time to time. Check www.nios.ac.in for current admission schedule and fee structure.
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What does the NIOS certificate look like? Will it show my ITI subjects?
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NIOS will issue a single certificate to successful learners showing:
- The marks of the ITI trade subjects transferred via ToC (3 or 4 subjects)
- The marks of the NIOS academic subjects you appeared in (1 or 2 subjects)
- An overall pass status as per NIOS norms
The certificate is an official NIOS Secondary or Senior Secondary certificate and is indistinguishable from regular NIOS certificates for the purpose of recognition.
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Is there a fee to enroll in NIOS under this scheme?
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Admission fees and subject fees are applicable as per NIOS norms prescribed from time to time. These are generally lower than mainstream schooling costs. There is no separate fee for the Transfer of Credit process — ToC is part of the NIOS enrollment under this scheme. Please visit www.nios.ac.in for the current fee schedule.
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Who oversees and monitors this scheme?
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A Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) has been constituted with 3 members each from NIOS and DGT. The JCC is co-chaired by the Director (Vocational Education Department) of NIOS and Director (CD), DGT/HQ. The JCC meets at least twice a year to operationalize, monitor, and review the scheme. Any disputes are referred to the Secretary, MSDE and Chairperson, NIOS for joint decision.