The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled the remaining Class 12 board examinations in several Middle Eastern countries due to escalating security concerns linked to the ongoing Iran–Israel–US conflict. The decision affects thousands of students studying in CBSE-affiliated schools across the Gulf region and neighbouring countries. Education authorities said the move was taken after reviewing the rapidly deteriorating situation in the region and prioritising the safety of students, teachers, and examination staff.
The cancellation applies to students in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, where CBSE examinations are usually conducted every year in coordination with Indian-curriculum schools. According to the board’s notification, all remaining exams scheduled between mid-March and early April 2026 will no longer be conducted in these countries. Some exams had already been postponed earlier due to rising tensions and disruptions in the region, but the board has now decided to cancel them entirely.
The decision comes as the Middle East faces growing instability following the intensifying war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Missile attacks, drone strikes, and military operations across the Gulf region have created uncertainty and security risks in several countries where Indian expatriate communities live in large numbers. With many CBSE schools located in major Gulf cities, authorities feared that conducting board examinations under such circumstances could endanger students and disrupt examination logistics.
Education officials also noted that airspace restrictions, flight disruptions, and heightened security alerts across the region have made it difficult for examination materials, invigilators, and staff to operate normally. Parents and school authorities had expressed concerns about students travelling to exam centres during such tense conditions, prompting CBSE to reassess the situation.
Alternative Evaluation Method to Be Announced
While the exams have been cancelled, CBSE has clarified that students will still receive their final results through an alternative evaluation system. The board said that the detailed method for assessing students’ performance will be announced soon. This system may include internal assessments, practical marks, and other academic records maintained by schools.
Education experts believe the board may adopt a formula similar to the evaluation method used during the COVID-19 pandemic, when exams were cancelled and results were calculated using school-based assessments and previous academic performance. The board has advised students to stay in contact with their respective schools for updates regarding the evaluation process and result declaration.
Impact on Indian Students Abroad
The cancellation has significant implications for the large Indian student community in the Gulf region. The United Arab Emirates alone hosts more than 100 CBSE-affiliated schools, while many other institutions operate across Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. Thousands of students appear for the Class 12 CBSE board examination each year, which plays a crucial role in university admissions in India and abroad.
Schools across the region have reassured students and parents that academic guidance and counselling support will be provided to help them navigate the uncertainty. Several institutions have already begun coordinating with CBSE authorities to ensure a smooth evaluation process once the board announces the final assessment formula.
A Rare Disruption in Overseas Exams
Although CBSE regularly conducts board exams in multiple countries worldwide, cancellations are rare and usually occur only during extraordinary circumstances such as global crises or severe security risks. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has already disrupted aviation, trade, and daily life across several Gulf countries, and the education sector is now feeling its ripple effects.
As the regional situation continues to evolve, students and parents are closely awaiting CBSE’s official announcement on the result calculation process. For many families, the decision brings a mix of relief and uncertainty—relief over student safety, but also concern about how academic performance will ultimately be evaluated during one of the most important milestones in a student’s educational journey.
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