NIOS Skill-based Vocational Courses Block-I online admissions 2024 open
Keen to do a vocational education course through NIOS? This article provides complete information on the vocational courses, eligibility criteria, and the online application procedure for admission to the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) vocational education programs.
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), the largest Open Schooling system in the world, is an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. NIOS has issued the admission notification for vocational courses for Block-I. Online admission will be open round the clock up to 30th June 2024. There are limited seats for each vocational course, so hurry!
[Image source: print advt. in Hindustan Times, 16th January 2024]About NIOS Vocational Courses
NIOS offers a diverse range of vocational courses through its vocational education programs to equip individuals with skills that will provide opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. With a flexible schedule to learn at your own time and pace and study material provided for self-learning, a NIOS vocational course can be pursued by anyone in India and abroad. The duration of each course varies, ranging from short-term ones of 6 months to certificate and diploma courses of one year, and advanced certificate and diploma courses of two years. Note that while you can select any vocational course as per your interest, you can pursue only one vocational program at a time.
The curriculum, evaluation system, and course certificate are all developed and managed by NIOS. A fixed number of contact hours are provided through the Personal Contact Program (PCP) at a NIOS-Accredited Vocational Institute (AVI)/Special Accredited Institute for Education of Divyangs (SAIED) which is the study center for the course. Since the courses are not correspondence courses, but ones that are offered through the open and distance learning mode, the contact hours of the PCP for theory/practical training are mandatory to attend to be eligible to appear for the course public exam. Internal assessment is also a crucial component of the courses.
A plus point is a reasonable fee with the admission valid for five years, and you can even appear for the exam at any time during these five years with a maximum of 9 chances. NIOS provides relaxation of fees for female candidates and learners from exempted categories, namely SC/ST, Divyangs, and Ex-Servicemen. Go through the NIOS vocational prospectus to know details of the fee structure for each course.
Academic integration
While you can pursue any NIOS vocational course independently, some courses can also be integrated with academic subjects. That is, you can combine one vocational course (only one is permitted in one academic cycle) with the regular academic subjects to earn a 10th/12th class certificate. You can check the official prospectus to know which vocational courses are offered under integration at the secondary level and the senior secondary level. Also, ITI learners are advised to check the prospectus to know about the transfer of courses to NIOS and integration with academic subjects.NIOS Certificate recognition
NIOS is recognized by the National Council for Vocational Education & Training (NCVET), and the certificate is accepted by national and State Boards and universities as well as potential employers. However, you will need to fulfill the eligibility requirements of the educational institute/university where you may seek admission after the NIOS vocational course.NIOS Vocational Education Programs
NIOS offers a wide range of vocational courses relevant to diverse sectors, including the following-
NIOS Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Courses: Beekeeping, poultry farming, mushroom production, vermicomposting, etc.
Learn about Agriculture Courses in India
NIOS Business and Commerce Courses: Diploma in Modern Secretarial Practices, Diploma in Insurance Services, typewriting, stenography, e-typewriting, etc.
NIOS Computer and IT Courses: Computer and Office Applications, web designing and web development, CCA, data entry operations, CRM domestic voice, computer hardware assembly and maintenance.
NIOS Engineering and Technology Courses: Electrical technician, refrigeration and air conditioning, welding technology, four-wheeler technician, plumbing, construction supervisor, etc.
NIOS Health and Paramedical Courses: Community health, Ayurvedic therapy, Homeopathic dispensing, Panchkarma Assistant, Radiography, DMLT & DMIT courses with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), etc. Note that for the NIOS healthcare and paramedical courses, recognition by State councils depends on the rules and regulations of the particular State.
NIOS Home Science and Hospitality Courses: Cutting, tailoring and dressmaking, dress designing, beauty therapy, bakery and confectionery, Indian embroidery, hospitality courses with ITDC, etc.
NIOS Teacher Training Courses: Early Childhood Care and Education, Toy-making and Joyful Learning.
NIOS Yoga and Naturopathy Courses: Yoga Teachers Training Program, Diploma in Yogic Science, Diploma in Naturopathy & Yogic Science.
There are also miscellaneous courses. Check the quick reference links given at the end of this article to know all the sectors and courses offered under each.Eligibility requirements
Age criterion: The minimum age for admission varies from 14 years to 18 years as per the selected course, but there is no upper age limit for the vocational courses. Check the prospectus to know the cut-off dates applicable for age criteria.How to apply for NIOS admissions
You can opt for online admission directly through the NIOS registration website for vocational courses. Select the sector, which will lead you to the screen where the courses of that sector are mentioned, and click on the 'Proceed' button below the course that you want to pursue, and register for it.
You can also visit the nearest AVI and get assistance to register and apply. Assistance for registration is also provided at the Regional Centres of NIOS, and the Common Services Centres (CSCs) of the Ministry of Information and Technology, Govt. of India (the full list of centres is provided in the admission prospectus).
Make sure that you go through the vocational courses admission prospectus in detail and read the instructions carefully before starting the online application. Select the course and the Study Center during the online application process.
Before starting, scan the original documents in jpg or jpeg format to upload during the online registration process. The documents are-
Educational Qualifications: You can upload the mark sheet of the highest qualification obtained, that is, of Class 5, Class 8, Class 10, or Class 12 as applicable, or a Self Certificate. If you have obtained a High School/Secondary Certificate from a foreign Board/university, you must produce a certificate that the exam that you passed is equivalent to the Indian High School/Secondary School exam. The equivalency certificate can be obtained from the Association of Indian Universities, Kotla Road, New Delhi-110002.
Age proof: A valid proof of Date of Birth, such as the Aadhaar Card with the date of birth printed on it, Passport or Voter ID, or Driving License, birth certificate, or any other document that indicates the date of birth. In the case of Orphans/Juveniles/Street Children, the Medical Legal Certificate can be provided as proof of date of birth. Note that the date of birth should be entered correctly in the admission form, as it cannot be changed later.
Residence proof: You must upload a valid proof of Residence. This can be any of these- the Aadhaar Card with complete address printed on it, electricity bill, water bill, ration card, voter ID, Indian Passport, or statement of an operational Bank Account, etc. In case you are residing in rented accommodation, you need to upload a copy of any recognized proof of the permanent address along with the present rent agreement.
Other documents:
After you fill in the details, use the review button to check that all the information that you entered is correct. If you find any errors, then correct them through the edit button. Then make the online payment of the course fee + Rs.50/- which is the processing fee for the application.
On successful verification of the documents, payment details, and the details that you submitted during registration, your admission will be confirmed and an Enrolment Number will be generated. Jot down this number for reference for all future communications.Important dates
The online admission for Block-I is open from today and will close on 30th June 2024.
Check the official website to know about the exam schedule.Contact information
Call the Toll-free Number 1800-180-9393 for queries or problems or visit the nearest NIOS Regional Center for guidance and support.
In case any problem/grievance is not redressed by the Study Centre or the Regional Centre, you can write to:
The Chief Grievance Officer
National Institute of Open Schooling
A-24-25, Institutional Area,
Sector-62, NOIDA-201309, Uttar Pradesh.
You can send an email (including for technical support) to: voconline@nios.ac.in or call the Toll Free No. 1800-180-9393.
Further email contacts-
The email of the Student Support Service Department is dirsss@nios.ac.in
Subject-related queries can be sent by email to lsc@nios.ac.in
Websites-
NIOS Website: https://nios.ac.in/
Student Portal: https://sdmis.nios.ac.in/
For quick reference-
NIOS Vocational Sectors and Courses: https://voc.nios.ac.in/registration/sector-selection?project=c84a4b80-6988-4f75-9cd0-65934833c069
NIOS Study Centres: https://voc.nios.ac.in/registration/locate-study-centre
NIOS Regional Centres and Contact Persons: https://sdmis.nios.ac.in/home/regional-center
NIOS Study Material Contacts: https://sdmis.nios.ac.in/home/query-related
NIOS Library: https://niosopac.libsys10.in/
Important footnote: NIOS does not issue any migration certificate to learners of the NIOS vocational education courses.
Follow
NIOS is a unique open school institution which is providing great opportunity to the students desiring to acquire educational and vocational qualifications in an informal way. These courses can be pursued in a slow mode and there is no strict time boundary. That is a great help to those students who cannot cover the syllabus in a fixed minimum time.
Further, multiple attempts for appearing in examination is an added advantage for slowly progressing students.
This article has exhaustively presented the admission process for NIOS Vocational courses and the interested candidates can follow the guidelines for the process of admission.
Today, just acquiring an academic qualification does not guarantee a job and in such a situation the importance of vocational courses is increasing day by day. It makes great sense to acquire these technical and trade linked qualifications for making a successful livelihood and a career.