CBSE To Introduce Open Book Assessment For Class 9 From 2026-27 Session
CBSE will start open-book assessments for Class 9 from 2026-27, per NCFSE 2023 and NEP 2020, aiming to shift from rote memorisation to competency-based learning.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved a proposal to introduce open-book assessments (OBAs) for Class 9 students starting from the 2026-27 academic session.
The decision, approved by the board's Governing Body in June, is in line with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aim to shift the focus from rote memorisation to competency-based learning.
What's In the New System?
Under the new system, OBAs will be integrated into the three pen-paper assessments conducted each term, covering core subjects such as Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.
Students can refer to textbooks, class notes, and approved resources during the assessments.
The Pilot Study
The move is based on a pilot study that excluded additional reading materials and assessed cross-cutting themes from the syllabus. The idea was first reviewed by the CBSE curriculum committee in November 2023 and received approval later that year. To assess its feasibility, the board conducted a pilot project in select schools.
Student scores ranged from 12 per cent to 47 per cent, revealing 'challenges in effectively utilising resources and grasping interdisciplinary concepts."
The study showed that teachers are open to supporting such assessments. 'Despite these hurdles, teachers expressed optimism about OBAs (open-book assessments), noting their potential to foster critical thinking."
CBSE To Develop Sample Papers
To ensure quality, CBSE will develop standardised sample papers and provide structured guidance to help students navigate reference materials and apply knowledge contextually.
The board expects the initiative to reduce exam stress, encourage real-world application of knowledge, and strengthen conceptual understanding.
This is not the first time CBSE has experimented with this. Between 2014-15 and 2016-17, it introduced the Open Text-Based Assessment (OTBA) for Classes 9 and 11, which was later discontinued after mixed responses from students and educators.
(With inputs from agencies)
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