CBSE to roll out open-book exams for class 9 from 2026-27

In a move set to reshape classroom testing, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved the introduction of open-book assessments for Class 9 from the 2026-27 academic session. The decision follows a pilot study that revealed strong teacher support for the system, despite students struggling to fully leverage reference materials.

The CBSE’s Governing Body, its highest decision-making forum, cleared the proposal at its June meeting. As per the approved plan, open-book exams will form part of the three pen-and-paper tests held each term, covering core subjects — languages, mathematics, science, and social science.

The initiative aligns with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, which calls for a decisive shift away from rote memorization towards competency-based learning. Open-book tests, it notes, are designed to assess a student’s ability to interpret, apply, and synthesize information, rather than merely recall it.

The CBSE’s pilot study, launched in December 2023 across Classes 9 to 12, tested completion times and stakeholder perceptions. Student scores ranged from 12% to 47%, exposing challenges in using resources effectively and grasping interdisciplinary concepts. Yet teachers overwhelmingly backed the idea, citing its potential to foster critical thinking and real-world problem-solving — provided students receive structured guidance in navigating reference materials.

Under the new framework, the Board will prepare standardized sample papers to maintain question quality and encourage higher-order thinking skills. While participation will likely remain optional, the model will offer schools a blueprint for integrating open-book exams into internal assessments.

“This aims to reduce exam stress, encourage application of knowledge, and build conceptual understanding,” the CBSE noted in its minutes.

The concept is not entirely new for the Board. In 2014, it introduced an Open Text Based Assessment (OTBA) in selected subjects for Classes 9 and 11. However, the scheme was scrapped in 2017-18 after failing to meet expectations in developing critical thinking.

This time, CBSE officials say, lessons from the past will guide the rollout — with a tighter framework, curated questions, and a sharper focus on application over memory.