Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat / New Delhi

Muscat / New Delhi, Mar 15: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially cancelled the Class 12 board examinations for students in several West Asian countries due to the ongoing regional instability.

In its sixth circular since March 1, the board clarified that even previously postponed exam papers will now be fully cancelled. The decision affects CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Exams scheduled from March 16 to April 10, 2026, are affected.

"Examinations which were earlier postponed vide circulars dated March 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 shall also stand cancelled. The mode of declaration of results for Class XII candidates in these countries will be notified separately in due course," the circular issued by Sanyam Bhardwaj, CBSE Controller of Examinations, stated.

The board cited safety concerns and feedback from schools and local authorities as key factors in its decision. CBSE also confirmed that Indian diplomatic missions in the Gulf region, including ambassadors and the Consul General in Dubai, have been informed to coordinate communication with students and schools.

This move follows a similar announcement by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), which cancelled ICSE and ISC exams in the United Arab Emirates.

The cancellations are expected to affect thousands of Indian students enrolled in CBSE schools across major Gulf cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh.

Overall, more than 4.37 million students are registered for CBSE board exams in 2026, with around 2.51 million appearing for Class 10 and approximately 1.86 million for Class 12. CBSE will announce the alternative procedure for declaring results for the affected students at a later date.