The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled the remaining Class 12 board examinations for students in several West Asian countries amid the ongoing Iran–US–Israel conflict.
The decision affects students studying in more than 150 CBSE-affiliated schools across Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The board said it will later announce the mode of result declaration for the affected students.
In its sixth circular issued since March 1, CBSE said the decision was taken after reviewing the feasibility of conducting examinations and considering inputs and requests from schools and authorities in the affected countries. As a result, all Class 12 exams scheduled from March 16 to April 10, 2026 in these countries have been cancelled.
The circular dated March 15 also clarified that previously postponed examinations will also stand cancelled.
“The mode of declaration of results for Class 12 candidates in these countries will be notified separately in due course,” said CBSE exam controller Sanyam Bhardwaj in the circular.
The notice was also shared with Indian ambassadors in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iran, as well as the Consul General of India in Dubai, for information and necessary action.
Earlier exam schedule and postponements
According to the original schedule, CBSE conducted several Class 12 board examinations between February 17 and February 28 before postponing further papers in West Asia due to the evolving situation in the region.
During this period, exams for subjects including physical education, physics, accountancy, geography, and chemistry were successfully conducted before the board issued its first circular on March 1 postponing the remaining papers.
Earlier, the board had also cancelled all remaining Class 10 examinations in the affected countries on March 5.
With the latest decision, the 2026 board examination cycle for both Class 10 and Class 12 students in CBSE-affiliated schools across Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE has effectively ended.
Impact on students
The decision affects thousands of Indian students studying in CBSE schools across the Gulf region, with major examination centres located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh.
CBSE conducts board examinations annually in India and selected overseas centres where its affiliated schools operate.
The board has previously altered examination schedules only during extraordinary circumstances. Similar disruptions occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, when several exams were postponed or cancelled. In some cases, exams have also been delayed due to extreme weather, local emergencies, or security-related situations.
The 2026 CBSE board examinations began on February 18. In total, more than 4.37 million students registered, including around 2.51 million Class 10 students and 1.86 million Class 12 students.
CBSE officials had not responded to queries at the time the report was filed.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.
