Confusion spread among students and parents on Sunday after a viral circular claimed the cancellation of CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 examinations in the Middle East region.
The document, titled “Circular for Affiliated Schools (Middle East Region),” appeared formatted like an official CBSE communication and quickly went viral on social media.
The fake notice stated that language papers scheduled after February 28, 2026, and the Class 10 Social Science exam on March 7, 2026, were cancelled. It further claimed marks would be awarded through composite evaluation based on internal assessments and pre‑board exams, assuring that no student would fail.
CBSE swiftly flagged the circular as fake. In a post on X, the Board said: “Important Alert!! This is a fake circular. An official update will follow.” Officials emphasised that no announcement has been made regarding the cancellation of board examinations in the Middle East.
CBSE conducts exams for nearly 42 lakh students worldwide across 7,800+ centres, including about 26 countries abroad. In the Middle East alone, nations such as the UAE, Qatar, and Oman host multiple CBSE‑approved centres. The viral notice added to anxiety already heightened by regional tensions, but the Board reiterated that students must rely only on official channels for updates.
The incident highlights how misinformation during high‑stress periods like board exams can spread rapidly. CBSE urged schools and students to ignore unverified claims and await formal announcements.
