The Central Board of Secondary Education has cancelled all remaining Class 12 board examinations for students in several West Asian countries due to the ongoing regional conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
The decision affects students studying in more than 150 CBSE-affiliated schools across the Gulf region.
In its sixth circular issued since March 1, the board announced that all Class 12 examinations scheduled between March 16 and April 10, 2026, have been cancelled.
Countries Affected by the Decision
The cancellation applies to CBSE examination centres in the following countries:
- Bahrain
- Iran
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
According to the board, examinations that had been previously postponed will also stand cancelled.
Thousands of Indian students studying in CBSE-affiliated schools across these countries will be impacted by the move.
Result Declaration Method to Be Announced Later
CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said the method for declaring Class 12 results will be announced later.
“The mode of declaration of results for Class 12 candidates in these countries will be notified separately in due course,” he said in the circular.
The communication was also shared with Indian diplomatic missions in the region, including ambassadors posted in Gulf countries and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
Exams Conducted Earlier Before Postponement
Before the conflict escalated, the board had successfully conducted several Class 12 exams between February 17 and February 28.
Subjects already completed included:
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Accountancy
- Geography
- Chemistry
However, further examinations were postponed starting March 1, as security conditions in the region deteriorated.
Class 10 Exams Were Cancelled Earlier
Earlier this month, CBSE had already cancelled all remaining Class 10 board examinations in the affected countries.
The latest decision now effectively ends the 2026 board examination cycle for both Class 10 and Class 12 students in CBSE-affiliated schools across the Gulf region.
Millions Appearing for CBSE Exams Globally
The CBSE conducts annual board examinations in India and at international centres where its affiliated schools operate.
This year, more than 4.37 million students registered for the examinations:
- About 2.51 million students in Class 10
- Around 1.86 million students in Class 12
Major overseas exam hubs include cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh.
Rare Disruptions to Board Exams
Major disruptions to CBSE board examinations are rare and usually occur only under extraordinary circumstances.
In recent years, the most significant disruption occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when several examinations were postponed or cancelled in 2020 and 2021.
Apart from that, exams are occasionally deferred in isolated centres due to extreme weather events, local emergencies, or security concerns.
