FAQs - NAS 2021

An illustrative list of FAQs has been prepared for reference and clarity on various issues relating to the NAS – 2021. The list has
been divided into 3 sections as below:

Category A : NAS Overview (SN. 1- 40),

Category B : Functionaries Involved in NAS - Roles and Responsibilities (SN. 41-58)
Category C : Survey related queries (SN. 59-72)

SN. Questions Answer

Category A: NAS Overview (SN. 1 – 40)

NAS stands for National Achievement Survey. It is the largest, nationwide, sample-
1 What is NAS?
based education survey conducted across India.
To provide structured feedback on student learning levels at District, State, and
2 Why is NAS conducted? national levels. These inputs are used for policy planning and designing pedagogical
interventions to improve quality and ensure equity in learning.

3 What is the date of NAS 2021? 12th November 2021

NAS is NOT a school-based examination. It is a system-level assessment conducted

Is NAS an examination
4 on a nationally representative sample that aims to provide feedback on the
conducted by the school?
effectiveness of the school education system in our country
By administering standardized survey to students and collecting information on
How does NAS provide system-
5 relevant background variables such as school environment, teaching processes, and
level feedback?
student home and background factors.
Does NAS provide individual NAS does not provide individual school or student scores. It provides a summary of
6 school or student performance performance at the District, State, and National levels, with the district as the unit for
scores? reporting
Can any school participate in
7 No, Only the schools selected in sample can participate.
NAS 2021?

Which are the Grades in which

8 Grades 3, 5, 8 and 10
NAS will be conducted?

Which Ministry conducts the NAS is undertaken by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of
9
National Achievement Survey? Education, Government of India

Which organization under MoE

10 Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
is conducting NAS 2021?

Which organization is designing

11 assessment framework and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
tools for NAS-2021?

What are key curricular areas to There are three key curricular areas in Grade 3:
12
be assessed in Grade 3? Language, Mathematics and Environmental Studies
What are key curricular areas to There are three key curricular areas in Grade 5:
13 be assessed in Grade 5? Language, Mathematics and Environmental Studies
What are curricular areas to be There are four curricular areas in Grade 8:
14
assessed in Grade 8? Language, Mathematics, Science and Social Science,
What are curricular areas to be There are five curricular areas in Grade 10:
15
assessed in Grade 10? Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and English
What is the student testing load? It refers to the total number of test booklets and items that will be administered to
16
each student
 What are the parameters of NAS is based on grade specific competencies and learning outcomes across the key
17
surveying? curricular subjects in key grades

How is NAS 2021 framework It is carefully designed by the NCERT to enhance validity, reliability and
18
designed? interpretability of the derived measures of student learning
In modular matrix design, each student takes a combination of only 2 subjects. A
multi-subject, modular matrix design is characteristic of many large-scale
What is Modular Matrix design
19 assessments and is an established industry practice. Assessments like PISA,
for Grade 8 and 10?
TIMSS, make effective use of modular design when two or more subjects are
covered by testing programs.
How many test booklets are
20 4 test booklets (all subjects included in each test booklet)
there for Grade 3 and 5?
How many total items are there
21 47
in Grade 3?
How many total items are there
22 53
in Grade 5?
How many test booklets are
23 4 test booklets (2 subjects in each test booklet following modular matrix design)
there for Grade 8?
How many total items are there
24 60
in Grade 8?
How many test booklets are
25 5 test booklets (2 subjects in each test booklet following modular matrix design)
there for Grade 10?
How many total items are there
26 70
in Grade 10?
Where can we see the Technical note on the Assessment Framework NAS 2021 prepared by NCERT is
27
Assessment Framework? available on nas.education.gov.in under REPORTS tab in PDF form

The main objectives considered for determination of sample size include:

● Measure student achievement at national level
o Overall national
o By gender
o By rural/ urban
o By social group
o By school management
● Measure student achievement at each state level
What are the main objectives o Overall state
28 considered for determination of o By gender within state
Sample Size? o By rural/ urban within state
o By social group within state
o By school management within state
● Measure student achievement at each district level
o Overall district
o By gender within district
o By rural/ urban within district
o By social group within district
o By school management within district
Four frames in NAS 2021 (as per UDISE+ 2019-20 data)

Frame 1 State Government schools

Which are the sample frames of
29 schools included in NAS 2021 Frame 2 Government Aided schools
sampling?
Frame 3 Private Unaided recognized schools

Frame 4 Central Government schools

What is the maximum number of

30 students to be administered the 30
survey for a Grade in a school?
 What to do if the enrollment in
31 All students of the section will be selected for the Survey
target grade is less than 30?

What to do if the enrollment in

target grade in selected section Field Investigators and Observers will select 30 students as per procedure defined at
32
is more than 30, and it is a Step 8 para 2 of Sampling Design Note – NAS 2021 available on nas.education.gov.in
single section grade?
What to do if the enrollment in
target grade in selected section Procedure as defined under step 8 para 3 of Sampling Design Note–NAS 2021
33
is more than 30, and there are available on nas.education.gov.in is to be followed.
multiple sections in the grade?
How would the distribution of
test booklets be done to Packets containing the Assessment Booklet will be pre-arranged as per procedure at
34
students selected for the step 9 of Sampling Design Note–NAS 2021 available on nas.education.gov.in
survey?
How many districts will be
35 733 Districts (as per UDISE+ Data 2019-20)
covered in NAS-2021?
Which States and UTs are
36 All States and Union Territories (UTs)
surveyed in NAS 2021?
● 1,23,729* unique schools will be surveyed as per sampling of NAS 2021

Target Grade Number of Schools

Grade 3 29,603
How many schools are likely to
37 Grade 5 28,656
be surveyed in NAS-2021?
Grade 8 46,062

Grade 10 48,564
* Unique school – School counted as one School whether it only one target Grade or
many target Grades selected in sample for Survey
● 38,87,759 students will be surveyed as per target grade wise details given below:

Target Grade Enrollment

Grade 3 6,55,128
How many students are likely to
38 Grade 5 6,46,975
be surveyed in NAS-2021?
Grade 8 12,04,777

Grade 10 13,80,879

Total 38,87,759

NAS Cell, Professional Exam Unit, CBSE Headquarters:

Where can one reach for
● +91-8368736851 (to be made operational shortly)
39 resolving queries and issues
● +91-7827286144 (to be made operational shortly)
related to NAS-2021?
● +91-8178999210 (to be made operational shortly)

Where would or to whom will the NAS Cell, Professional Exam Unit (CBSE)
40 District Level Coordinator 2, Community Centre, Preet Vihar, CBSE, Delhi- 110092
report? e-mail: [email protected]
Category B: Functionaries Involved in NAS – Roles and Responsibilities (SN. 41 – 58)

1. CBSE at the National level as National Admin for Survey

2. State Nodal Officers (SNOs) at State level (to be appointed by State/UTs)
3. District Nodal Officers (DNOs) at District level (to be appointed by SNOs)
What are different Functionaries
4. Field Investigators at the School level (to be appointed by DNOs for their district)
41 involved in the conduct of NAS-
5. District Level Coordinators (DLCs) at District level (to be appointed by CBSE)
2021?
6. Resource Centre Custodian (RCC) at District level (to be appointed by CBSE)
7. Observers at the School level (to be appointed by DLCs for their district)
8. Board Representative at the District level (to be appointed by CBSE)

1. Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Govt. of

India – Coordination, Funding and Guidance
What are key Organizations / 2. NCERT - Assessment Developer
42 involved at the national level and 3. CBSE - Assessment Administrator
their Major role? 4. NIC - ICT Intervention Automation
5. NITI AAYOG - Advisory Support
6. UNICEF - Technical Support

● State Nodal Officers are senior level officer nominated by the State. They are
appointed from Education Department (SCERT or Directorate) as decided by the
43 Who are SNOs?
State. They will have administrative discretion vested in them for ensuring a
hassle-free conduct of survey in the State/UT.
● Act as a key Link for coordination between State/UT, the Ministry of Education,
CBSE, NIC,
What are the Roles and ● Nomination of the District Nodal Officers (DNOs) for each district in their
44
Responsibilities of SNOs? respective State/UTs and upload the same on the NAS portal
● Issue instructions to DNOs & Schools to ensure support in survey
● Extend support (as required) to CBSE in the conduct of NAS

Is there any specific role of State ● SNOs will ensure necessary administrative approvals are in place so that the
Nodal Officer (SNO), in context scheduled activities of NAS including the participation of the sampled schools, the
45
of conducting in COVID students and the appointed functionaries in the survey is not hampered
scenario? ● Also provide facilitative support as needed in the field

● DNOs are District Education Officers or equivalent, who would be appointed by

46 Who are DNOs?
State Nodal Officer (SNO) on the NAS portal through SNO login.
● Would nominate Field Investigator (FIs) required for conduct of survey in the
sampled school in their District. The number of FIs to be nominated will be
What are the Roles and available on the DNO’s login on NAS portal
47
Responsibilities of DNOs? ● Would issue instructions / directives relating to NAS conduct, protocols, training
schedules etc., and ensure mandatory reporting for duty and attending the
trainings arranged by the NAS Cell, CBSE HQ / DLC
● Field Investigators are nominated by the District Nodal Officer (DNO from
48 Who are Field Investigators?
amongst the staff of SCERT, DIETs, BRCs, CRCs, B.Ed./M.Ed. faculties, Interns
● FI would coordinate with the Observer / DLC for conduct of NAS as per SoP
● Carry out sampling of Section and Students in the assigned grade as per the
What are the Roles and
procedure and complete other responsibilities in association with the Observer
49 Responsibilities of the Field
● Complete the Survey Questionnaires, Field Note, and Control Sheet
Investigators?
● Assisting Grade 3 and Gr 5 students for OMR of PQ filling in an interactive mode
● Assist Gr-3 and 5 in OMR filling of Achievement Test
● To the District Nodal Officer (DNO) during the nomination stage
To whom will the FI report ● To the District Level Coordinator (DLC) after appointment
50 across different stages of ● To the Observer on a week prior to NAS and also on the day of NAS reporting at
conduct of NAS? the assigned sampled school
● FIs would also take instructions from DLC depending on the on-ground situation

District Level Coordinators are the principals of the affiliated schools with experience
51 Who are DLCs?
of handling sensitive assignments. They are appointed by the CBSE HQ.
 ● Nomination of Observers (from local schools) using DLC Login and verification
● Conduct of Training (Online/Offline) of FIs & Observers and others
What are the Roles and ● Regular coordination with the NAS Cell, CBSE HQ
52
Responsibilities of DLCs? ● Storage/Distribution of materials and collection
● Operate helpdesk in their school for coordination
● Ensure smooth conduct of Survey as per the SoP / Administration Manual
● Will coordinate with the SNO at nomination stage and during the online
With whom will the District Nodal
53 nomination of Field Investigator on the NAS portal
Officer coordinate with?
● DNO would also coordinate with DLC for resolving issues, if any

Observers are Vice Principals, PGT, TGT and PRT teachers from affiliated schools.
54 Who are Observers?
They will be appointed and supervised by the District Level Coordinator

● Collection of Survey Materials from the Resource Centre Custodian

● Reporting to assigned sampled school for conduct of Survey
What are the Roles and
55 ● Coordinate with the DLCs and FIs in advance prior to NAS day
Responsibilities of Observers?
● Attend training / capacity building sessions as and when arranged
● Conduct Survey as per the SoP made available on their NAS Login
● To the District Level Coordinator at the nomination stage and after appointment
Where would or to whom will the ● To the Resource Centre Custodian (RCC) on the day of NAS for collection of
56
Observer report? survey materials and report to the assigned sampled school for survey
● Would take instructions from the DLC at all stages
What is the training strategy for The training for the different Functionaries will be done following a blended approach
57
various Functionaries? (Offline and Online as feasible).
They are Board appointed officials (Officials of the Board / institutions in the central
Govt./ principals of CBSE affiliated non-sample schools). They would report to the
Who are Board Representative
58 allotted district to monitor the overall functioning of the Survey Team under DLC and
and what is their role?
ensure fair conduct of NAS as well as secured movement of survey materials post
NAS for the designated place. They will be appointed by the NAS Cell, CBSE HQ
Category C: Survey Tools and Administration Modalities (SN. 59 – 72)
It means the Achievement Test Booklets and Background Questionnaires as
below
● Pupil Questionnaire (PQ) – to be filled by sampled students
What do Survey Materials
59 ● Teacher Questionnaire (TQ) – to be filled by subject teacher of target grade
mean?
● School Questionnaire (SQ) – to be filled by school headmaster / principal
● OMR Sheets inserted in the booklets
● Field Notes and Control Sheet – to be filled by the FI / Observer
Will Background Questionnaires
60 Yes,
be administered same day?

Who is responsible for secured

61 Resource Center Custodian (RCC) / District Level Coordinator (DLC) / Banks
storage of Survey Materials?
● OMRs Achievement test for sampled students
What types of OMR sheets will ● OMRs for PQ for sampled students
62
be used in NAS 2021? ● OMRs for TQ for subject teachers
● OMRs for SQ for school headmaster / principal
How will the OMRs be filled by The OMRs for Grade 3 and 5 students will be filled with the assistance of Field
63
Grade 3 and 5 students? Investigators and Observers maintaining sanctity
Willl there be any involvement of
SCERT / DNO / DLC in No. Scanning will be done centrally by the Administration Agency (CBSE) at a
64
scanning or data capturing of designated place.
OMRs? /
Can the student take away the
No, the student will hand over the Test Booklets and the OMRs to the Field
65 test booklets and survey
Investigator/ Observer.
questionnaires after the survey?
When do we need to conduct Section Sampling needs to be carried out ONLY if there is more than one section for
66
sampling of a section in the assigned Grades - that is 3,5,8 and 10 in the respective school
 sample school?

When do we need to conduct a

Student Sampling needs to be carried out ONLY if there are more than 30 students
67 sampling of students in the
enrolled in the selected section/class.
sample school ?
FI/Observer would prevent such things by politely requesting. In case, unable to do
What to do if the school staff
so, they would make a note of such activities as “Unfair Means” in the Field Notes /
68 tries to help the student
Control Sheet and also on the NAS portal report Tab (to be provided in due coruse) in
during the survey?
the portal
Can students or teachers take
69 No, the students or teachers cannot take any survey material home
the survey material home?
1. Provide bigger room / hall for conduct of Survey following social distancing and
COVID norms (sanitization and cleaning etc.)
2. Present class register to the Survey team for sampling and survey administration
What help is desired from the
3. Ensure discipline and a noise free atmosphere in and around the Survey Room
70 Head of the Sampled School for
4. Arrange for a room, preferably at the ground floor keeping in view CWSN cases
conduct of NAS 2021?
5. Arrange for scribe in consultation with Observer and Field Investigator for CWSN
6. Provide extra time (~30 minutes) to complete survey for CWSN
7. Provide suitable furniture to the survey team for managing the survey affairs
Yes, all functionaries involved in NAS 2021 administration need to get vaccinated.
Will all functionaries need to get
71 Those nominating various functionaries, may ascertain this at the time of nomination
vaccinated?
on the NAS Portal
What is expected from different
● All Functionaries would put on a mask / face shield.
Functionaries in terms of
72 ● Observe the required sanitization as per prevailing COVID guidelines
adherence to COVID
● Maintain social distancing as far as practically possible
appropriate behavior?

NOTE: The exact Action Plan / Strategy and finer details for actual conduct of Survey on the day of NAS will be shared
only with the Functionaries concerned at an appropriate time so as to maintain the SANCTITY of the NAS-2021. An
extensive Capacity Building and Training Program is being taken up by the NAS Cell, CBSE for all the Functionaries.