No More Rote Learning! CBSE Brings Open-Book Assessments for Class 9 Students in 2026

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has formally announced the implementation of Open-Book Assessments (OBAs) on the students of Class 9 starting the 2026-27 academic year, one of the most significant shifts within the Indian school examination system this past few years. This is a decision ratified by the CBSE Governing Body on June 25, 2025 and is directly in line with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023 as well as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with the purpose of bringing about competency based learning and getting rid of rote learning.

What Are CBSE Open-Book Assessment?

In new system students would be allowed to use textbooks, notes taken in the classes, and recommended materials when taking tests. Such open-book tests will focus on key subjects; Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. It is intended to have three pen-paper assessments per term so that OBAs are a natural part of the evaluation process within the institution.

The Reason to Change: The Insider Information

Pilot Project Data: CBSE pilot open-book exam would be run in Classes 9 and 12 in December 2023. The scores of students were between 12 and 47%, which stipulates the initial problem in resources usage and implementation of interdisciplinary concepts. In spite of these, the response of teachers was very positive and their suggestions pointed towards the importance of systematic guidance, instructions and training in tapping the potential of OBAs.

Focus of the Competency: The exams are not meant to assess the ability to memorize but rather test knowledge, problem-solving, and critical thinking. NCFSE emphasizes that open-book tests eliminate the focus on fact recall and regurgitation and focus on application and synthesis of the information-making students ready to succeed in the world.

Less Exam Stress: Preliminary research and board analysis indicate that OBAs may reduce exam-taking stress and foster a deeper sense of conceptual learning by allowing students to develop key tools to think beyond the basic questions in a textbook.

Adoption by Schools: CBSE would only implement guidelines and training and the use of this model remains voluntary and adaptable on how schools incorporate OBAs and when they do it.

Exclusive Details

CBSE is also developing systematic sample papers and teacher training courses to guarantee the quality of assessment as well as question construction that actually measures higher order thinking. The assessment model will be continually developed and improved with the input of the schools, so that the form is maintained as relevant and effective.

Comparison Table: CBSE’s New Open-Book Exams vs Old Assessment Pattern

Criteria	Traditional Exams	Open-Book Assessments (OBA)
Exam Format	Closed book	Reference materials allowed
Skills Tested	Recall, memory	Application, analysis, synthesis
Subjects Covered	All core subjects	Maths, Science, Social Science, Language
Student Experience	More stress	Reduced stress, deeper learning
Rollout Timeline	Ongoing	Class 9, from 2026-27

 

OBA has created a revolutionary change in the school system in India, as it motivates learners, educators, and parents to embark on a paradigm shift to comprehensive-oriented and analytical learning strategies. Rightful emphasis on problem-solving and conceptual understanding are key aspects that the CBSE seeks to support to make the upcoming generation smarter and more adept to compete at a global scale