The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved the introduction of Open-Book Assessments (OBAs) for Class 9 from the 2026-27 academic session. The move, ratified by the board’s Governing Body on June 25, aligns with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with the goal of promoting competency-based learning and reducing reliance on rote memorisation.
As part of the new system, OBAs will be incorporated into the three pen-paper assessments held each term, covering core subjects such as Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. The approach is designed to develop critical thinking, encourage practical application of knowledge, and help ease exam-related stress among students.
The concept was first examined by CBSE’s curriculum committee in November 2023 and received approval later that year. A pilot project was then conducted in select schools to test its viability, with Classes 9 and 10 attempting OBAs in English, Mathematics, and Science, while Classes 11 and 12 undertook them in English, Mathematics, and Biology. The trials focused on evaluating student performance, time management, and feedback from stakeholders.
