CBSE Introduces Open-Book Exams for Class 9 from 2026–27
CBSE will start open-book exams for Class 9 from 2026–27 to reduce rote learning and focus on real understanding.
From the 2026–27 school year, CBSE will introduce open-book exams for Class 9 students. The decision, approved in June 2025, has sparked a big debate. In these exams, students can carry textbooks, notes, and study materials inside the hall. But the idea is not to copy from books — instead, it is to test understanding, thinking, and application of knowledge in real-life situations.
This step is part of the National Education Policy 2020, which aims to reduce rote learning and make education more about problem-solving. CBSE had earlier tested open-book exams in 2023 in selected schools. Students found it tough and scored low, but teachers strongly supported the method, saying it improves real learning.
The new system will allow open-book tests in Maths, Science, Social Science, and Languages, three times per term. CBSE will share sample papers to guide schools, and the system will remain optional. This is not CBSE’s first attempt — a similar system in 2014 was stopped in 2017–18, but now with better planning, it is making a comeback.
Around the world, open-book exams are common, and even in India they were used in Delhi University, IITs, and AIIMS during the pandemic. Studies show that these exams reduce stress, but students need training to use them effectively. While some critics say it feels like “cheating with permission,” education experts believe it prepares students better for real-life problem-solving.
Open-book exams may change how Indian students learn, shifting focus from memorizing to understanding. The future will show if this makes education smarter and stress-free.
