AICTE Warns Colleges Against Denying Admission to NIOS Students

In a move that reignites the debate on inclusivity in education, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has issued a stern advisory cautioning technical institutions against denying admission to students with National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) qualifications. The Council reminded colleges that open schooling certificates hold equal recognition under the Ministry of Education (MoE), University Grants Commission (UGC), and AICTE norms. Yet, despite clear national guidelines, discrimination against NIOS students continues — a violation not only of policy but also of the principles enshrined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Experts and educationists are now demanding stronger enforcement measures. They argue that institutions refusing to admit NIOS-qualified students are acting against both the spirit and the letter of the NEP, which promotes equitable access, flexibility, and lifelong learning. Moreover, they emphasize that such candidates — many of whom qualify through rigorous national exams like CUET and JEE Main — often lose out on admissions due to bureaucratic hurdles or delayed NIOS results.

“AICTE received several representations and complaints from students and parents through emails, grievance portals, and direct communication with the Council,” said T.G. Sitharam, chairman of AICTE, in a conversation with Education Times.

According to Prof. Sitharam, the issue was noted in select engineering and management institutions across states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan. “Certain institutions were misinterpreting eligibility norms and refusing admissions to NIOS-qualified candidates. Since most institutions are compliant, our advisory was a precautionary measure to ensure uniformity and prevent future discrepancies,” he added.

Despite official recognition, misconceptions persist. Some institutions falsely claim that NIOS qualifications are “inferior” to those from regular schooling. Others reject applicants citing state-level admission criteria. In reality, NIOS is a fully accredited national board under the MoE, offering the same validity and academic rigor as CBSE or CISCE.

“Under Article 14 of the Constitution, students from all boards recognized by the MoE must be treated equally,” asserted Prof. Pankaj Arora, former NIOS chairman and chairperson of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). “AICTE must go beyond advisories — if counselling institutions fails, legal warnings should follow, just as NCTE acts against errant teacher training institutions.”

Prof. Arora also highlighted another structural challenge — delays in NIOS result announcements. These often block deserving students from securing seats despite strong performance in national-level entrance tests. He recommends that such students be considered under a provisional admission category, ensuring their academic future is not jeopardized due to administrative delays.

NIOS conducts two main exam cycles — April-May and October-November — alongside on-demand exams throughout the year. “While the mandated time for declaring results is 45 days, we often achieve it in about 30,” said Prof. Akhilesh Mishra, NIOS chairman. “However, logistical challenges remain. We operate through 11,000 study centres and over 1,200 exam centres, many hosted in CBSE or state board schools. Delays sometimes occur due to credit transfers from state boards that are not centrally aligned.”

At the senior secondary level, NIOS offers 24 subjects and 23 languages, reflecting its commitment to flexibility and inclusivity. “If an NIOS student meets the eligibility criteria, there should be no distinction between formal and open schooling backgrounds,” Prof. Mishra emphasized.

Beyond issuing advisories, AICTE is now working on strengthening its grievance redressal mechanisms to swiftly handle complaints from affected students. It is also coordinating with NIOS and the MoE to ensure that accurate information on eligibility is disseminated across institutions.

“Denying admission to NIOS students contradicts the very essence of NEP 2020, which promotes multiple pathways for learning, including open and distance education,” Prof. Sitharam said. “No eligible student should be denied access to higher education simply because of the mode of schooling.”

As India moves toward a more inclusive and flexible education framework, experts say the onus is now on institutions to uphold not just compliance but commitment — to equity, opportunity, and the right of every learner to dream beyond boundaries.

Because open schooling is not a second chance — it is an equal one.