CBSE Class 9 Computer Applications: Syllabus, Units & Sample Practice

Unit 1 — Basics of Information Technology (20 marks)

• Ch 1 Computer Systems & Memory

  Characteristics and components of a computer — CPU, primary memory (RAM and ROM) and secondary memory.

• Ch 2 Storage & I/O Devices

  Storage devices (hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, pen/flash drive, memory stick) and input/output devices (keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, scanner, web camera).

• Ch 3 Software, Networks & Multimedia

  System vs application software (including mobile apps); networks PAN/LAN/MAN/WAN, wired/wireless, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cloud; multimedia — images, audio, video, animation.

Unit 2 — Cyber Safety (15 marks)

• Ch 4 Safe Browsing & Online Identity

  Browsing the web and using social networks safely — identity protection, proper use of passwords, privacy, confidentiality, cyber stalking and reporting cybercrimes.

• Ch 5 Malware

  Recognising threats such as viruses and adware.

Unit 3 — Office Tools (15 marks)

• Ch 6 Word Processor

  Create, edit and format documents — text styles, paragraph spacing, headers/footers, page numbering, spell check, tables, drawing tools and track changes.

• Ch 7 Presentation Tool

  Slide shows and layouts, slide views, editing slides, inserting pictures, animations, sound effects and rehearse timings.

• Ch 8 Spreadsheets

  Worksheets and workbooks; entering and formatting data; formulas using +, −, *, /; functions SUM(), AVERAGE(), MAX(), MIN(), IF(); and charts — line, pie, scatter, bar and area.

Unit 4 — Lab Exercises (50 marks)

• Ch 9 Lab Test (30 marks)

  Practical test split across word processing (10), handling spreadsheets (10) and creating presentations (10).

• Ch 10 Report File & Viva (10 marks)

  Report file of four documents using a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation tool (8), plus a viva voce based on it (2).

• Ch 11 Project (10 marks)

  A project that uses most of the concepts learnt across the course.

Point to the Method

Names the tool to reach for (e.g. "Use a built-in spreadsheet function over the range") without giving the answer.

Guided Reasoning Prompt

Prompts the key idea (e.g. "Which function name means the largest value, not the total?").

Complete Worked Solution

Shows the full reasoning and explains why the chosen function is correct.

Practise at the Keyboard, Not Just on Paper

Half the marks are practical — actually build the documents, spreadsheets and slide shows rather than only reading about them.

Keep Your Report File Current

The report file and viva carry marks on their own, so save and organise your four lab documents as you make them instead of rushing at the end.

Learn Functions by What They Do

For SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN and IF, remember the question each one answers — total, mean, largest, smallest or a condition — and errors in the paper drop sharply.

How is CBSE Class 9 Computer Applications (165) assessed?

It uses a 50 + 50 split: a 50-mark theory paper covering Units 1–3 (Basics of Information Technology, Cyber safety and Office Tools) plus 50 marks of practical work, totalling 100. This differs from the 80 + 20 scheme used by core subjects. Always confirm the current scheme with CBSE or your school.

What are the units in the Class 9 Computer Applications syllabus?

There are four: Unit 1 Basics of Information Technology (20), Unit 2 Cyber safety (15), Unit 3 Office Tools (15) and Unit 4 Lab Exercises (50).

How are the 50 practical marks divided?

Lab Test carries 30 marks (word processing 10, spreadsheets 10, presentations 10), the Report File plus viva carries 10 (report file 8, viva voce 2), and a Project carries 10.

Is Computer Applications the same subject in Class 9 and Class 10?

It is the same subject (code 165) spanning Classes 9 and 10, but the content differs: Class 9 focuses on IT basics, cyber safety and office tools, while Class 10 moves on to networking, HTML and web design.