The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) formerly known as National Open School (NOS) was established in November, 1989 as an autonomous organisation in pursuance of National Policy on Education, 1986 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. Open Schooling was originally experimented upon since 1978 as a project of the CBSE and was later amalgamated with NIOS.It is partly funded by Government of India. Keeping in view the needs of target groups, the NIOS is also providing a number of Vocational and community oriented courses besides general and academic courses.