CBSE Delays Class 12 Exams: The Central Board of Secondary Education has postponed the Class 12 board examinations scheduled from March 9 to 11 in several West Asian countries due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The board will reassess the situation on March 10 to decide on the exams scheduled from March 12 onward.
This decision was announced in the fourth circular released this week by CBSE, following a critical review of the current circumstances in the Middle East, including Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The circular, issued by Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, CBSE’s exam controller, has been shared with Indian ambassadors in the region and the Consul General in Dubai for necessary actions.
Earlier, on March 5, 2026, CBSE had canceled all Class 10 examinations from March 2 to March 11, affecting thousands of students in over 150 CBSE-affiliated schools across West Asia. The board had already postponed the Class 12 examination scheduled for March 7, 2026, in its previous circulars.
The Gulf region, home to a significant number of Indian expatriates, hosts a large cluster of CBSE schools, making it the largest overseas center for these examinations. The postponements mark a rare mid-session disruption, reminiscent of the alterations made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CBSE’s decision impacts over 4.37 million students appearing for the board exams this year, with a substantial number in the Gulf region. The board’s next steps will be crucial in determining the educational trajectory of these students.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, March 8, 2026
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