CBSE Cancels Class 12 Board Exams in Gulf Countries Amid Regional Crisis

CBSE has cancelled the Class 12 board exams for students studying in several West Asian countries because of the ongoing regional crisis. The exams scheduled between March 16 and April 10, 2026 will not take place anymore. This decision affects CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The board says student safety and exam feasibility were the main reasons behind the move.

Which Countries Are Affected

The cancellation mainly affects Indian schools operating in Gulf nations. These schools follow the CBSE curriculum and thousands of Indian students study there every year.

The affected countries include Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh have large numbers of CBSE students.

Many Indian families living in these countries work in sectors like business, oil, healthcare and engineering. Their children usually study in Indian curriculum schools, so the exam decision directly impacts them.

For many students this announcement came suddenly, but it was expected after several earlier postponements.

Earlier Exams Were Already Postponed

Before cancelling the exams, CBSE had already postponed them multiple times. Since March 1, the board issued several circulars reviewing the situation in the region.

Exams were first delayed hoping that conditions would improve. But the situation remained uncertain, making it difficult for schools to conduct safe examinations.

Because of that, the board finally decided to cancel all remaining exams for Class 12 students in these countries.

The latest circular also confirms that previously postponed exams will stay cancelled as well.

Official Statement From CBSE

The decision was announced through a circular issued by the Controller of Examinations, Sanyam Bhardwaj. According to the board, the move was taken after carefully reviewing the situation and consulting schools.

Authorities checked whether it was possible to conduct exams safely. Feedback from schools and local authorities suggested it would be difficult.

Based on those reports, CBSE decided cancellation was the safest option for students.

The board also clarified that the process for declaring results will be announced later. Students will have to wait a little longer to know how their final scores will be calculated.

Indian Embassies Also Informed

Indian diplomatic missions in the Gulf region have been informed about the decision. This step ensures coordination between schools, parents and local authorities.

Indian ambassadors in these countries, along with the Consul General in Dubai, were officially notified about the exam cancellation.

These missions often assist Indian schools abroad during emergencies. Their role helps in spreading accurate information and preventing confusion among students and families.

Thousands of Students Affected

The cancellation affects thousands of Indian students studying in CBSE-affiliated schools across West Asia. Many of these students were preparing for board exams for months.

Board exams are important because they decide college admissions and future academic paths. So naturally, students and parents now want clarity about the result process.

CBSE has said that details about how results will be prepared will be announced soon.

Students may receive marks through internal assessment, previous exam performance or other evaluation methods. But the exact formula has not yet been shared.

ICSE and ISC Exams Also Cancelled in UAE

CBSE is not the only board that has taken such a decision. Recently, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations also cancelled its board exams in the United Arab Emirates.

The ICSE and ISC exams scheduled in the UAE were cancelled due to similar safety concerns.

This shows that multiple education boards are responding cautiously to the situation in the region.

Student safety remains the biggest priority.

How Many Students Appear for CBSE Boards

CBSE board exams are one of the largest school examinations in the world. Every year millions of students register for these exams.

In 2026, more than 4.37 million students registered for CBSE board exams.

Out of these, about 2.51 million students are appearing for Class 10 exams. Around 1.86 million candidates registered for the Class 12 board exams.

Only a small portion of these students are located in overseas exam centres, but the number is still large enough to affect thousands of families.

What Students Should Do Now

For students studying in the Gulf region, the best step right now is to stay calm and follow official updates from CBSE and their schools.

Schools will likely guide students once the board announces how results will be calculated.

Until then, students should focus on their academic plans and college applications where possible.

Situations like this are rare, but education boards usually create alternative evaluation methods to ensure students do not lose a year.

For now the main thing is patience. The final result system will be announced soon, and students will get clarity about their academic future.