The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is a national board for education in India under the Government of India.
It provides a flexible open and distance learning (ODL) system to provide education to a diverse group of learners who cannot attend regular, formal schools.
This broad category of who are outside the school includes school dropouts, learners from remote areas, working adults, and others who need a more flexible pathway to complete their education.
While NIOS also serves children with disabilities (C) and from deprived sections (D), the most comprehensive and primary group it serves is anyone who is outside the formal schooling system for any reason.