New Delhi – The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved the introduction of Open-Book Assessment (OBA) for Class 9 students starting from the 2026–27 academic session. The decision follows the results of a pilot study launched in December 2023, which received support from teachers.
Under the new system, OBA will be implemented in all three pen-and-paper examinations conducted in each term for Class 9. The assessments will cover Languages, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science, allowing students to use resources such as books and notes during the exam.
According to CBSE, the objective of OBA is to promote critical thinking, analysis, and application skills rather than rote memorisation. Questions will be designed to include case studies, data analysis, and real-life problem-solving. This approach is in line with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, which is based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The proposal for OBA was presented at the CBSE Governing Body meeting in June 2025. If successful in Class 9, the system could later be extended to Classes 10, 11, and 12.
This is not the first time CBSE has experimented with open-book exams. In 2014, the board introduced the Open Text-Based Assessment (OTBA) for Class 9 subjects such as Hindi, English, Mathematics, and Social Science, as well as Class 11 Economics, Biology, and Geography. However, OTBA was discontinued in 2017–18 after it was found to be ineffective in significantly enhancing students’ critical thinking skills.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment