The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed Class 10 and 12 board examinations scheduled for March 2, 2026, across several Middle Eastern countries due to escalating regional tensions. Students and schools are urged to follow official updates and disregard circulating fake circulars claiming exam cancellations, as only specific exams are postponed, not cancelled.
CBSE Postpones Class 10, 12 Board Exams in Middle East Amid Tensions
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the postponement of Class 10 and 12 board examinations scheduled for March 2, 2026, across several Middle Eastern countries. This decision comes amidst escalating regional tensions. The Board has also issued a stern warning against a fake circular that has caused confusion among students and parents, clarifying that only the March 2 exams are postponed, not cancelled.
Exams Postponed for March 2, 2026
As per an official CBSE circular dated March 1, the board examinations for Classes 10 and 12, initially set for Monday, March 2, 2026, have been postponed in the following countries:
- Bahrain
- Iran
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Revised dates for these specific examinations will be announced in due course. The Board will reassess the situation on March 3, 2026, to determine the status of exams scheduled from March 5 onwards. Students are strongly advised to maintain regular contact with their respective schools for official updates and guidance.
Disinformation Alert: Beware of Fake Circulars
Amidst the legitimate postponement, a fabricated circular widely circulated on social media falsely claimed that CBSE had cancelled multiple board examinations in the Middle East due to ‘war conditions,’ suggesting an alternative composite evaluation method. CBSE has explicitly debunked this fake notice, labeling it as misinformation. The Board emphasizes that the viral notice, which mentioned cancellation of select language papers and internal assessment-based marking, is entirely false.
Students, parents, and schools must verify all examination-related information exclusively through official CBSE channels and their schools to avoid confusion and panic.
Context: Regional Tensions and Student Impact
The decision to postpone exams reflects the ongoing conflict-related tensions in parts of the Middle East, which have led to significant disruptions in daily life, including shifts to distance learning in some areas. This evolving situation has understandably created considerable uncertainty for students preparing for and appearing in the CBSE board examinations across the Gulf nations.
Official Communication and Next Steps
The official circular has been disseminated to Indian embassies in the affected countries and CBSE regional offices to ensure consistent communication and prioritize student safety. Schools are tasked with keeping parents and candidates thoroughly informed about all future announcements and revised schedules. CBSE reiterates that there is no blanket cancellation of exams; only the papers scheduled for March 2, 2026, have been postponed.
