The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is piloting open-book assessments (OBAs) for Class 9, with plans to roll them out from the 2026–27 academic year. The move marks a significant departure from rote memorisation, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.
“Life is an open-book. The world doesn’t reward memorisers; it rewards problem solvers,” says Kanak Gupta, Group Director, Seth M.R. Jaipuria Schools. Experts note that this shift places India firmly on the path to 21st-century education, where analysis, creativity, and application are at the core of learning outcomes.
According to Naman Jain, Vice Chairman, Silverline Prestige School, the new system aims to reduce exam stress, promote questioning minds, and develop decision-making skills amongst students.
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