Class 9 Computer Applications Syllabus 2026-27

The class 9 computer applications syllabus 2026-27 carries subject code 165 and splits evenly: 50 marks for a theory annual exam and 50 marks for a hands-on lab assessment. This page is verified against the official CBSE curriculum document on 2026-07-13. Computer Applications is an optional skill-based subject, and the 50:50 theory-to-practical split is the one fact most students come looking for.

The official curriculum and study material for this optional elective are hosted on cbseacademic.nic.in under the ‘Optional Subjects’ tab.

Course Structure: Four-Unit Marks Distribution

The Computer Applications curriculum for session 2026-27 is organised into four units. Three of these are theory-based, while the entire fourth unit is a practical lab block. The marks are distributed as follows:

Half of the total 100 marks come from the lab component (Unit 4). A student who only memorises theory and skips regular lab practice effectively leaves 50 marks behind. The OCR of the official curriculum does not specify a periods-count for this subject; refer to the PDF on the CBSE academic website for any instructional-time details.

For deeper revision, students can connect this syllabus outline to our Class 9 Computer Applications notes or browse the wider Class 9 notes collection. The complete CBSE notes hub also covers other subjects.

Chapter-wise study material for every unit above

Chapter-wise study material for every unit above:

Unit 1: Basics of Information Technology — What to Study

This 20-mark theory unit covers the foundational hardware and software concepts of a computer system. Map your revision line by line to these syllabus topics:

• Computer systems: characteristics of a computer, components of a computer system — CPU, memory, storage devices, and I/O devices.
• Memory: primary memory (RAM and ROM) and secondary memory.
• Storage devices: hard disk, CD ROM, DVD, pen/flash drive, and memory stick.
• I/O devices: keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, scanner, and web camera.
• Types of software: system software (operating system, device drivers) and application software, including mobile applications.
• Computer networking: types of networks (PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN), wired/wireless communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cloud computers (private/public).
• Multimedia: images, audio, video, and animation.

A common confusion students face is mixing up RAM with storage. RAM is volatile working memory — it loses its data when the power is turned off. Secondary storage devices like a pen drive or hard disk are non-volatile; they retain data permanently. Knowing this distinction helps in both theory questions and the viva.

Unit 2: Cyber Safety Topics and Scope

The 15-mark Cyber Safety unit is lighter on theory but high on real-life relevance. The curriculum covers the following topics:

• Safely browsing the web and using social networks.
• Identity protection.
• Proper usage of passwords.
• Privacy and confidentiality of information.
• Cyber stalking.
• Reporting cybercrimes.
• Malware: viruses and adware.

This unit connects directly to the lab exercise on browser settings for a secure connection. When you study password practices and identity protection in theory, practise adjusting those browser security settings in the lab. Linking the two helps you answer both the written question and the practical task.

Unit 3: Office Tools — Word, Presentation and Spreadsheet Skills

This 15-mark unit appears as theory in the marks table, but it is heavily mirrored in the 50-mark lab component. The syllabus breaks it into three sub-areas: word processing, presentation tool, and spreadsheets.

Word Processing

• Create and save a document; edit and format text (style, font type, size, colour, alignment).
• Format paragraphs with line and/or paragraph spacing.
• Add headers and footers, numbering pages, grammar and spell-check utilities, subscript and superscript, insert symbols, use print preview, and print.
• Insert pictures, change page setting, add bullets and numbering, borders and shading.
• Insert tables — insert/delete rows and columns, merge and split cells.
• Use auto-format, track changes, review comments, use drawing tools, shapes, and mathematical symbols.

Presentation Tool

• Understand slide shows, basic elements of a slide, different slide layouts; create and save a presentation.
• Learn different views — normal view, slide sorter view, and handouts.
• Edit and format a slide: add titles, subtitles, text, background, watermark, headers/footers, and slide numbers.
• Insert pictures from files, create animations, add sound effects, and rehearse timings.

Spreadsheets

• Concept of a worksheet and a workbook; create and save a worksheet.
• Enter numbers, text, date/time, series using auto fill; edit and format (colour, size, font, alignment); insert/delete cells, rows, and columns.
• Enter a formula using operators (+, -, *, /), refer to cells, and print a worksheet.
• Use simple statistical functions: \( \text{SUM}() \), \( \text{AVERAGE}() \), \( \text{MAX}() \), \( \text{MIN}() \), and \( \text{IF}() \) (without compound statements).
• Embed charts of various types: line, pie, scatter, bar, and area.

Notice that the official document tests the \( \text{IF}() \) function without compound statements. Do not over-prepare nested IF logic for the spreadsheet lab test; stick to a simple condition-based IF as the syllabus prescribes.

Exam Pattern: 50-Mark Theory Paper and 50-Mark Practical

The 100 total marks are split into a theory annual exam and a lab-based practical exam.

• Theory paper: 50 marks, 2 hours.
• Practical: 50 marks (detailed below).

For Class IX in the 2026-27 session, the Annual Examination is school-based. To pass the subject, a student must secure a minimum of 33% marks separately in both the theory and the practical components. The broader CBSE assessment policy states that question papers are designed with approximately 50% competency-focused questions (case-based, source-based, data interpretation).

The exact competency share for this specific 50-mark paper is detailed in the official PDF on cbseacademic.nic.in.

Internal Assessment and Lab Exercises Breakup

The 50-mark practical is not a single test; it is a combination of a lab test, a report file with a viva, and a project. The exact breakup from the official document is:

Lab Exercises List

The lab exercises you must practise for this component are explicitly listed in the curriculum:

• Browser settings for a secure connection.
• Working with the operating system: navigation of the file system using a mouse and keyboard.
• Word processing: create a text document, a letter, a report, and a greeting card.
• Create a text document with figures describing a concept taught in another course.
• Discuss the basic organisation of a computer (CPU, memory, input/output devices, hard disk) in a text document.
• Create a text document in an Indian language other than English.
• Create a presentation, and one with animation.
• Include existing images/pictures in a presentation.
• Animate pictures and text with sound effects.
• Create a simple spreadsheet and perform min, max, sum, and average operations.
• Create different types of charts: line, bar, area, and pie.

A key planning insight: the report file must contain 4 documents each for the word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation tool. Build this file throughout the year instead of rushing it before the exam.

Deletions and Changes for 2026-27

A verified confirmation: the Computer Applications curriculum document lists no deletions, no changed weightage, and no dropped chapters for subject code 165 in the 2026-27 session. This ‘no change’ is an official fact from the CBSE document, not a gap in coverage. The broader curriculum notes that the list of optional subject offerings is ‘tentative and may be reviewed.’

If a specific change is announced on cbseacademic.nic.in, confirm the final list with your school.

How to Prepare for the 50-Mark Computer Applications Practical

Since half the paper is lab-based, your practical preparation matters as much as theory. Follow these steps to be ready:

1. Keep a report file ready with 4 documents each for the word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation tool.
2. Practise core functions regularly: \( \text{SUM}() \), \( \text{AVERAGE}() \), \( \text{MAX}() \), \( \text{MIN}() \), and a simple \( \text{IF}() \).
3. Make at least one chart of each type — line, pie, bar, area, and scatter.
4. Prepare an animation-with-sound presentation to demonstrate slide and media skills.
5. Create one Indian language document as required by the lab list.

Many students lose marks because they can format text but cannot insert and merge table cells or add slide numbers. These specific skills are clearly mentioned in the syllabus and are tested in the lab test. Practise them until they are automatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the subject code for Class 9 Computer Applications 2026-27?

The subject code for Computer Applications is 165. It is an optional skill-based subject for the 2026-27 session.

How many marks is the Computer Applications practical in Class 9?

The practical carries 50 marks. It includes a 30-mark lab test, a 10-mark report file and viva, and a 10-mark project.

Is the Computer Applications syllabus reduced for 2026-27?

No. The official curriculum document lists no deletions or changed weightage for this subject in the 2026-27 session.

Which functions are included in the Class 9 Computer Applications spreadsheet lab?

The syllabus specifies \( \text{SUM}() \), \( \text{AVERAGE}() \), \( \text{MAX}() \), \( \text{MIN}() \), and \( \text{IF}() \) (without compound statements).

What documents must be in the report file for the Computer Applications practical?

The report file must contain 4 documents each created with a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation tool, totalling 12 documents.

Reference: CBSE Class 9 Computer Applications curriculum document, session as stated on cbseacademic.nic.in.