The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is thinking about bringing Open Book Examinations (OBE) to Classes 9 through 12. This would be a big change to the way exams are given. This project is in line with what the new National Curriculum Framework says should be done. .Open Book Examinations (OBE) might end rote learning by encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving. This revolutionary move fits with the new National Curriculum Framework and signals a shift towards holistic evaluation. Read more, Education Minister Pradhan Announces Major Change: CBSE Board Exams Twice a Year for Students

Understanding Open-Book Examinations ( OBE)

With Open Book Exams, students can bring their notes, textbooks, and other study tools into the exam room, which goes against the idea that tests like these are automatically easy. Instead, the attention changes to testing how well students understand subjects, how well they can think critically, and how well they can use what they have learned.

Pilot Run and Subject Inclusions

As a step forward, CBSE is doing a test run in a few schools to see if OBEs can work and what their benefits are. English, math, and science will be taught in the pilot for Classes 9 and 10. Biology, English and maths will be taught in the pilot for Classes 11 and 12. The careful planning that went into choosing these subjects shows that they are in line with the general educational goals.

Key Highlights

• The sample run is set to happen from November to December, and the main goal is to see how long it takes students to finish these tests and get feedback from stakeholders’ responses
• During the training time, the test will focus on a wide range of skills, including higher-order thinking, application, analysis, critical and creative thinking, and the ability to solve problems.
• New studies suggest that traditional closed-book tests might not really show how much a student knows or how well they can use ideas in real life. Open-Book Exams, on the other hand, have shown potential in helping students think critically and understand topics better.

Learning from Delhi University’s Experience

CBSE is not going into the unknown. Instead, it hopes to use what Delhi University (DU) has learned from working with OBEs. DU started giving open-book tests in August 2020, because the COVID-19 outbreak was making things hard. Even though there was resistance at first and court battles, DU continued to do OBE exams until March 2022. Because DU has so much experience, CBSE can use it to help shape the planning and development of the suggested test.

Key Highlights

CBSE’s Previous Experiment with Open Text-Based Assessment (OTBA)

It’s important to note that the experimented with a similar format called Open Text Based Assessment (OTBA) for the year-end exams of Classes 9 and 11 from 2014-15 to 2016–17. However, this format was scrapped due to negative feedback from stakeholders. The lessons learned from this experience have likely influenced the meticulous planning and execution of the upcoming OBE pilot.

In-Depth Curriculum Committee Discussions:

The curriculum committee discussions late last year provided insights into the meticulous planning involved in this transformative move. Members highlighted the necessity of developing high-quality textbooks to ensure students’ understanding and acceptance of the new assessment method. The proposal to have teachers take open-book exams first showcases a commitment to excellence, aiming to set a benchmark comparable to international standards.

Challenges and Considerations

The CBSE syllabus group has shown insight by taking into account possible problems and issues. The group stressed how important it was for students to have good guides to understand and accept this new way of testing. Some members suggested that teachers give open-book tests first to help students understand the idea better. The goal of the group is to keep the standard high, using the American Advanced Placement test as a guide. This planned method fits with that goal.

• The idea of comparing the OBE materials to the Advanced Placement test shows that CBSE is serious about ensuring the quality and usefulness of the materials.
• The committee’s talks make it clear how important it is to get both students and teachers ready for this big change in the way tests are given.
• As a first step towards Open Book Examinations, CBSE will be leading the way, and the pilot run in November and December will be a key testing ground. Not only will we be judging how well the students did, but we will also be able to see how well the education system fits in with current teaching methods. The focus on higher-order thinking skills is a change from learning by rote and shows that the board is committed to improving students’ ability to think critically and solve problems.
• The plan shows that CBSE wants to change the education system to fit current teaching methods.
• The test run is very important for figuring out how well OBEs fit with educational goals and stakeholders’ standards

Final note

CBSE’s desire to try new ways of testing sets the stage for a more dynamic and interesting learning setting in a field that is changing quickly. As the plan moves forward, the responses from students, teachers, and other interested parties will be closely watched to make sure that Open Book Examinations fit smoothly into the Indian education system.

Also, read

New Teacher-Driven Approach introduced by CBSE for Addressing Errors in Board Exams 

With the country’s growing economy and increasing demand for skilled managers, an MBA degree from a reputable institution in India can open doors to exciting career opportunities.

Study duration

The two-year program typically includes coursework, case studies, projects, and internships, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of business principles and practices.

Many Indian business schools have partnerships with international institutions, providing students with access to global perspectives and best practices.

Studying MBA in India in 2025 also provides a unique cultural experience. With a diverse student body and faculty, students can learn from different perspectives and develop a global mindset.

In terms of career prospects, Studying MBA in India in 2025 can lead to exciting opportunities in various industries, including finance, marketing, human resources, and operations.

Many Indian companies, including multinational corporations, recruit MBA graduates from top Indian business schools.

Eligibility for studying MBA in India in 2025

To be eligible for studying MBA in India in 2025, candidates typically need to meet the following requirements:

Educational Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.

2. Minimum Marks: A minimum of 50% aggregate marks in the bachelor’s degree (45% for reserved categories).

3. Equivalent Qualifications: Candidates with equivalent qualifications, such as CA, CS, ICWA, etc., may also be eligible.

Entrance Exams

Candidates aiming for studying MBA in India in 2025 must also be prepared to write certain entrance exams.

The initial selection of candidates may be done based on scores in some well-known entrance exams.

List of some of the entrance tests to be prepared in case one wishes to study MBA are below:

1. CAT (Common Admission Test): Conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

2. MAT (Management Aptitude Test): Conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA).

3. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test): Conducted by the Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI).

4. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test): Conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

5. CMAT (Common Management Admission Test): Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Other Requirements

1. Work Experience: Some MBA programs may require or prefer candidates with work experience.

2. Language Proficiency: Candidates may need to demonstrate proficiency in English, as it is the medium of instruction for most MBA programs in India.

3. Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for pursuing an MBA in India.

2. Reservation Policies: Indian institutions have reservation policies for candidates from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC). Candidates must check the reservation policies for their chosen institution.

What would one study?

There are lot of lessons one would be studying as a part of MBA course. Candidates aiming for studying MBA in India in 2025 can know the courseware below:

Core Courses

– Business Ethics and Governance: Covers the importance of ethics and governance in business decision-making.

– Strategic Management: Focuses on the development of strategic thinking and decision-making skills.

– Marketing Management: Explores the principles of marketing, including market research, segmentation, and brand management.

– Financial Management: Covers financial concepts, including financial statement analysis, budgeting, and capital structure.

– Human Resource Management: Focuses on the management of human resources, including recruitment, training, and development.

– Operations Management: Explores the management of business operations, including supply chain management and quality control.

Specializations

MBA programs in India offer various specializations, including:

– MBA in Marketing Management: Focuses on the development of marketing skills, including market research, brand management, and advertising.

– MBA in Finance: Covers financial concepts, including financial statement analysis, budgeting, and capital structure.

– MBA in Human Resource Management: Focuses on the management of human resources, including recruitment, training, and development.

– MBA in Operations Management: Explores the management of business operations, including supply chain management and quality control.

– MBA in Information Technology: Covers the application of IT in business, including software development, data analytics, and cybersecurity.

– MBA in Logistics Management: Focuses on the management of logistics and supply chain operations.

– MBA in Event Management: Covers the planning, organization, and execution of events.

– MBA in Rural Management: Focuses on the management of rural development projects and programs.

Electives

Electives allow students to explore specific areas of interest and develop specialized skills. Some popular electives include:

– Business Analytics: Covers the use of data analytics in business decision-making.

– Digital Marketing: Explores the use of digital channels in marketing.

– Entrepreneurship: Focuses on the development of entrepreneurial skills and mindset.

– International Business: Covers the principles of international business, including global marketing, finance, and logistics.

The curriculum for MBA programs in India may vary depending on the institution and specialization.

It’s essential to research the specific curriculum and specializations offered by different institutions to find the best fit for your career goals.

Top colleges and fees

What are some of the most popular colleges that are known for offering management courses? The answer is mentioned below, students keen on studying MBA

Government MBA Colleges

– IIM Ahmedabad: Ranked 1st in NIRF 2024, with a total course fee of INR 25 lakh and an average package of INR 34 lakh¹

– IIM Bangalore: Ranked 2nd in NIRF 2024, with a total course fee of INR 24.5 lakh and an average package of INR 30 lakh

– IIM Calcutta: Ranked 5th in NIRF 2024, with a total course fee of INR 27 lakh and an average package of INR 28 lakh

– IIT Delhi: Ranked 4th in NIRF 2024, with a total course fee of INR 11.2 lakh and an average package of INR 18 lakh

– FMS Delhi: With a total course fee of INR 2 lakh and an average package of INR 34 lakh

Top Private MBA Colleges

– XLRI Jamshedpur: Ranked 9th in NIRF 2024, with a total course fee of INR 24.20 lakh and an average package of INR 25 lakh

– MDI Gurgaon: With a total course fee of INR 25 lakh and an average package of INR 20 lakh

– SP Jain Institute of Management and Research: With a total course fee of INR 20 lakh and an average package of INR 25 lakh

– NMIMS School of Business Management: With a total course fee of INR 12 lakh and an average package of INR 18 lakh

– IIM Kozhikode: With a total course fee of INR 20.50 lakh and an average package of INR 20 lakh

– IIM Lucknow: With a total course fee of INR 14.3 lakh and an average package of INR 18 lakh

– IIT Madras: With a total course fee of INR 8.92 lakh and an average package of INR 15 lakh.

Point to remember

The fees shown above to be paid for studying MBA in India in 2025 is generalized in nature, it is provided for the students to have a general idea about the amount to be paid.

The exact amount may vary from one college to another due to various reasons.

Those aiming for studying MBA in India in 2025 can visit the colleges or their websites to know about the exact fee amount

Rewarding experience

Studying MBA in India in 2025 can be a challenging but rewarding experience. With the right mindset and support, students can develop the skills, knowledge, and network needed to succeed in their careers.

Studying MBA in India in 2025 is an excellent choice for students and professionals looking to advance their careers.

With its unique blend of academic rigor and practical experience, Studying MBA in India can provide students with a comprehensive education and exciting career opportunities.

Also Read – Top 20 Management Colleges in India in 2024: 2024 NIRF Ratings