What Is the Open Book Format in CS Professional?
Drafting, Appearances & Pleadings (DAP) in CS Professional is conducted as an open book examination. You are allowed to bring the Bare Act into the exam hall. This changes the preparation strategy completely — memorization matters less; application and drafting skill matter more.
What the Paper Covers
- Drafting of legal documents: MOA, AOA, board resolutions, agreements, plaints, written statements
- Petitions, applications, and affidavits before NCLT, consumer forums, appellate tribunals
- Appearances before various regulatory bodies — SEBI, RD, ROC
- Pleadings under the Code of Civil Procedure
How to Prepare for an Open Book Exam
- Know where to find, not what to memorize: Index your Bare Act with sticky flags for key sections. NCLT Sections 230–245, CPC Order 6–8, Companies Act Sections 13–15 for MOA/AOA changes.
- Practice drafting, not reading: The exam tests whether you can actually draft a board resolution or a petition — not whether you know the theory. Practice drafting 2–3 documents per week from memory, then compare with the standard format.
- Learn the structure of each document: Every document has a standard anatomy — heading, recitals, operative clauses, testimonium, attestation. Know this structure cold.
Most Frequently Drafted Documents in Exams
- Special resolution for alteration of MOA/AOA
- Board resolution for opening a bank account, appointing directors
- Plaint under CPC for recovery of money
- NCLT petition for oppression and mismanagement under Section 241
- Legal notice for breach of contract
💡 Stuck on how to start drafting practice? Use e-mentor's Study Planner to schedule dedicated drafting sessions alongside your theory chapters. A 30-minute daily drafting practice block — tracked and maintained as a streak — will give you more confidence on exam day than any last-minute cramming.
Time Management in the Open Book Exam
Open book does not mean unlimited time. Students who waste time flipping through the Act in the exam hall underperform. Preparation means knowing your Act well enough that you only need to verify, not discover, provisions during the exam. Prepare like it is closed book — use the Act only for confirmation.