Free NIOS Books for Class 10 | Secondary Course | Free NIOS Study Materials
Embarking on the journey of secondary education through the open schooling system is a path of self-reliance and determination. For countless learners across India, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) serves as a gateway to achieving their Class 10 milestone, offering flexibility and a second chance at education. One of the most critical resources for this journey is access to high-quality study material. We understand that finding reliable and free resources is paramount for self-learners. This comprehensive guide is designed to be your one-stop destination for understanding and accessing Free NIOS Books for Class 10, officially known as the Secondary Course. We will delve into what these books are, the philosophy behind the NIOS curriculum, and how you can effectively use these materials to excel in your studies and beyond.
What are NIOS Secondary Books?
It’s a common point of confusion, but NIOS books are distinct from NCERT books. While NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) develops curriculum and textbooks primarily for schools affiliated with CBSE, NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) is its own national board. It operates under the Government of India’s Ministry of Education.
NIOS Secondary Books are the officially prescribed textbooks for students enrolled in the Class 10 equivalent course through NIOS. They are meticulously designed by subject matter experts specifically for the open and distance learning (ODL) mode. This is their key differentiator. Unlike traditional textbooks meant for classroom settings, NIOS books are self-instructional. This means the content is written in a simple, clear, and engaging style that allows a student to study independently at home, without the regular guidance of a teacher. They include features like:
- Self-Explanatory Modules: Concepts are broken down into manageable units.
- In-text Questions: Questions are placed within chapters to check understanding as you read.
- Activities and Illustrations: Practical examples and visuals aid in grasping complex topics.
- Summaries and Model Questions: Each chapter ends with a summary of key points and practice questions for self-assessment.
These books are the core of your study material and are available for all subjects offered in the NIOS Secondary curriculum, from languages and sciences to humanities and vocational subjects.
Aims and Objectives of NIOS Courses
The NIOS was established with a powerful social mission: to provide education to all and to universalize school education. Its aims and objectives go beyond simply offering an alternative to regular schooling. They focus on:
- Democratizing Education: NIOS aims to reach the most disadvantaged groups, including school dropouts, working individuals, girls who cannot attend regular schools, people with special needs, and those living in remote or underserved areas.
- Providing Flexibility: The system is built on the principle of learner-centricity. It offers flexibility in terms of place, pace, and time of study. You can learn from home, set your own study schedule, and take up to five years to complete the course.
- Promoting Vocational Education: A key objective is to integrate vocational education with general academic education, making learning relevant to life and employability. This helps learners acquire skills alongside theoretical knowledge.
- Empowering Learners: Ultimately, NIOS seeks to empower learners by providing them with a recognized qualification that can open doors to higher education and better livelihood opportunities, thereby fostering lifelong learning.
Equivalence of Secondary Courses
One of the most frequently asked questions by students and parents is about the validity and recognition of the NIOS certificate. You can rest assured that the NIOS Secondary Course (Class 10) is fully equivalent to other national boards like CBSE and ICSE, as well as various state boards.
This equivalence is not just a claim; it is officially recognized. The NIOS is a participant in the ‘Equivalence of Boards/Examinations’ list maintained by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). This means:
- A NIOS Class 10 certificate is accepted for admission into higher secondary programs (Class 11) in any board in India (CBSE, ICSE, state boards, or NIOS itself), subject to the specific subject criteria of the school.
- It is valid for admission to undergraduate courses in all universities across India.
- Government jobs, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and private sector companies recognize NIOS qualifications for their eligibility criteria.
- It is also valid for competitive exams where Class 10 pass is a minimum requirement.
This official equivalence ensures that your NIOS credential holds the same academic and professional value as a certificate from any other recognized school board in the country.
Their Importance and Utilities for Various Competitive Exams
The NIOS study materials are more than just a means to pass the board exams; they are a valuable resource for overall academic and competitive readiness. Here’s why they are important and how they help:
- Foundation for Higher Studies: The self-learning discipline developed while studying NIOS books is a tremendous asset for college and university education, which demands greater independent study.
- Preparation for Competitive Exams: The NCERT-based but simplified content of NIOS books makes them an excellent starting point for many competitive exams. The fundamental concepts in subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Social Science are crucial for exams like:
- Defence Exams: Many exams for the armed forces (like the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force) have a Class 10 standard eligibility or include questions based on secondary-level General Knowledge, Mathematics, and Science. The clear conceptual base from NIOS books is very helpful.
- Banking and SSC Exams: The General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language sections of exams like those for clerical or junior assistant positions in banks and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) often have topics rooted in the Class 10 curriculum.
- State Level Exams: Various state-level recruitment exams for positions like police constable, forest guard, or patwari often test candidates on basic general knowledge and reasoning, which can be effectively built using NIOS Social Science and Mental Ability books.
- Olympiads and Scholarship Tests: For younger learners, the in-depth yet accessible nature of the material is perfect for building a strong foundation for school-level Olympiads and scholarship examinations.
In conclusion, the NIOS Class 10 books are not just educational texts; they are tools of empowerment. They are meticulously crafted to guide a self-motivated learner through the secondary curriculum, providing a recognized qualification and a solid foundation for future academic and career pursuits.
To help you get started on your study journey right away, below is the complete list of all 32 subjects offered by NIOS for the Secondary Course. Click on any “Download” link to access the official study materials in PDF format.
Download NIOS Class 10 Books (Secondary Course) PDF
| Sl No | Subjects | Download |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hindi (201) | Download |
| 2 | English (202) | Download |
| 3 | Social Science (213) | Download |
| 4 | Indian Culture & Heritage (223) | Download |
| 5 | Painting (225) | Download |
| 6 | Data Entry Operations (229) | Download |
| 7 | Home Science (216) | Download |
| 8 | Mathematics (211) | Download |
| 9 | Science & Technology (212) | Download |
| 10 | Economics (214) | Download |
| 11 | Business Studies (215) | Download |
| 12 | Psychology (222) | Download |
| 13 | Accountancy (224) | Download |
| 14 | Sanskrit (209) | Download |
| 15 | Urdu (206) | Download |
| 16 | Arabic (235) | Download |
| 17 | Sindhi (238) | Download |
| 18 | Hindustani Music (242) | Download |
| 19 | Carnatic Music (243) | Download |
| 20 | Persian (236) | Download |
| 21 | Veda Adhyayan (245) | Download |
| 22 | Sanskrit Vyakarana (246) | Download |
| 23 | Bharatiya Darshan (247) | Download |
| 24 | Sanskrit Sahitya (248) | Download |
| 25 | Entrepreneurship (249) | Download |
| 26 | Folk Art (244) | Download |
| 27 | Indian Sign Language (230) | Download |
| 28 | Natyakala (285) | Download |
| 29 | Logistics & Supply Chain Mgmt (258) | Download |
| 30 | Warehouse Principles & Inventory Mgmt (259) | Download |
| 31 | Bhoti Language (234) | Download |
| 32 | Bodh Darshan (241) | Download |
- General Instructions for Worksheet
- CURRICULA 2020 OF SECONDARY COURSE (72.80 MB)
- भारतीय ज्ञान परंपरा (245-248)
- Regional Languages Course Material
NIOS Regional Medium
| S.NO | Medium | Download |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Telugu Medium | Download |
| 2 | Odia Medium | Download |
| 3 | Gujarati Medium | Download |
| 4 | Tamil Medium | Download |
| 5 | Punjabi Medium | Download |
| 6 | Malayalam Medium | Download |
| 7 | Marathi Medium | Download |
| 8 | Assamese Medium | Download |
| 9 | Kannada Medium | Download |
| 10 | Urdu Medium | Download |
Important Notes:
- Complete 32 Subjects: This table contains all 32 subjects officially offered by NIOS for the Secondary (Class 10) course.
- Regional Languages Covered: All major Indian languages including Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Urdu, and Sindhi are included.
- Multiple Codes: Some languages like Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Sindhi, and Urdu appear with two different subject codes. These represent different course variations or levels, and you can choose based on your preference.
- Free Access: All links are directly from the official NIOS website (nios.ac.in), and all study materials are completely free to download.
- How to Download: Simply click on the “Download” link next to your chosen subject, and you will be taken to the official page where all modules are available in PDF format.
Group A: Secondary Course offers a choice of languages i.e English, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Punjabi, Nepali, Assamese, Marathi, Sanskrit, Malayalam, Odia, Arabic, Persian and Tamil.
Group B: Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Science, Economics, Business Studies, Home Science, Data Entry Operations, Psychology, Indian Culture and Heritage, Accountancy,Painting and Data Entry Operations.
For Certification, a minimum of five subjects including atleast one language or atmost two languages are compulsary. This course is equivalent to the Xth Standard.