CBSE Introduces Open Book Assessment for Class 9 from 2026-27

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved the implementation of Open Book Assessment (OBA) for Class 9 starting from the academic session 2026–27. This decision comes after a pilot study launched in December 2023, which received positive feedback from both teachers and students.

Under this system, OBA will be conducted for all three pen-paper exams in each term. The subjects covered will include Languages, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. During exams, students will be allowed to use resources such as textbooks and notes.

The questions will be designed to promote analysis, application, and critical thinking instead of rote memorization. For example, the question papers may include case studies, data analysis, or real-life problem-solving scenarios. This aligns with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

If the implementation in Class 9 proves successful, CBSE may consider extending the system to Classes 10, 11, and 12 in future academic years.

This isn’t the first time CBSE has experimented with open book formats. In 2014, the board introduced an Open Text-Based Assessment (OTBA) for Class 9 subjects like Hindi, English, Mathematics, and Social Science, and for Class 11 subjects such as Economics, Biology, and Geography during final exams.