CBSE Cancels Class 10 Board Exams in Middle East; Class 12 Exam on March 7 Postponed

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled the Class 10 board examinations for students in the Middle East region and postponed the Class 12 exam scheduled for March 7, 2026. The decision was announced through an official circular issued by the board amid the prevailing situation in the region.

According to CBSE, all Class 10 examinations scheduled from March 7 to March 11, 2026 have been cancelled for CBSE-affiliated schools located in several Middle Eastern countries. Exams that had earlier been postponed on March 2, March 5, and March 6 will also remain cancelled.

Countries Affected

The decision applies to CBSE schools operating in the following countries:

• Bahrain
• Iran
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

Students enrolled in CBSE-affiliated schools across these countries will be impacted by the revised examination arrangements.

CBSE Board Exams 2026

The Central Board of Secondary Education conducts the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations annually for schools in India and abroad. For the 2026 academic session, the board exams began on February 17 and are scheduled to continue until April.

CBSE-affiliated schools operate in several countries across the Middle East, and thousands of Indian students appear for the exams from these international centres each year. In exceptional circumstances such as regional disruptions, the board may revise exam schedules to ensure the safety and convenience of students.

Class 12 March 7 Exam Postponed

While the Class 10 exams have been cancelled, the Class 12 board examination scheduled for March 7 has only been postponed, not cancelled. CBSE has clarified that revised dates for the postponed exam will be announced later after reviewing the situation.

Result Evaluation for Class 10

CBSE has also stated that the method for declaring Class 10 results for students in the Middle East region will be announced separately. Students and schools have been advised to regularly check the official CBSE website for further updates.

The CBSE Board Exams 2026 began on February 17, and nearly 44 lakh students are appearing for the examinations worldwide this year.

Students and parents are advised to follow official notifications from CBSE to stay informed about revised schedules and evaluation guidelines.