CBSE Approves Open-Book Test System for Class 9 Starting 2026-27

SHARING IS CARING

If our Website helped you a little, then kindly spread our voice using Social Networks. Spread our word to your readers, friends, teachers, students & all those close ones who deserve to know what you know now.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved the proposal to implement open-book assessment in class 9 final examinations from the 2026-27 academic session.

This decision has been taken after a pilot study and a governing body meeting held in June 2024.

In which subjects will there be open-book examination

According to the report, in line with NCFSC 2023 and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, there will be open-book examination in language, mathematics, science and social science subjects in class 9.

Under the first pilot project, tests were conducted in select schools for English, Mathematics and Science in class 9 and 10, and English, Mathematics and Biology in class 11 and 12.

Objectives and benefits

The objective of the open-book examination is to reduce the habit of rote learning among students and develop analytical and high-level thinking skills. In this, students can solve questions with the help of books, notes and other resources. The questions are usually conceptual and related to real life.

Will not be compulsory

According to sources, a framework will be made for the open-book examination of class 9, but it is unlikely to be made compulsory for schools. Earlier also CBSE had implemented Open Text-Based Assessment (OTBA) from 2014-15 to 2016-17, but it was discontinued due to negative response from students and teachers.

What is an open-book examination?

In a traditional examination, the student has to write the answers without any help, whereas in an open-book examination, the student is allowed to use the textbook and other resources. In this method, the emphasis is mainly on understanding the concepts, analyzing them and applying them correctly.