ICSE and ISC Board Exams 2026 Cancelled in UAE Due to Security Situation

The ICSE and ISC Board Exams 2026 scheduled in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been officially cancelled due to security concerns in the region. The decision was announced by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) after assessing the prevailing situation and consulting relevant authorities.

The cancellation affects Class 10 (ICSE) and Class 12 (ISC - all streams) students studying in CISCE-affiliated schools across the UAE.

The examinations were initially scheduled to begin earlier but were first postponed from March 2 to April 6, 2026, due to rising tensions in parts of the Middle East. However, after further evaluation of the security situation, the council decided to cancel the examinations entirely to ensure the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and examination staff.

ICSE, ISC Board Exams 2026 Cancelled in UAE Amid Security Concerns

According to the official circular issued by Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, the decision was taken after consultations with Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which is the education regulator in Dubai, and the Consulate General of India, Dubai. The authorities reviewed the situation carefully before arriving at the decision to cancel the examinations for all CISCE-affiliated examination centres in the UAE.

Thousands of Indian students studying in schools across the UAE were expected to appear for the ICSE Class 10 and ISC Class 12 examinations this year. The cancellation means that students will now have to wait for further guidelines from CISCE regarding evaluation methods, alternative assessment, or result declaration procedures.

Impact on Students and Schools

The cancellation has affected a large number of students enrolled in Indian curriculum schools in the UAE. Schools affiliated with the CISCE board conduct the ICSE and ISC examinations every year for students completing secondary and higher secondary education.

With the exams now cancelled, students and parents are awaiting clarity from the board regarding the assessment process. Typically, in such cases, boards may adopt alternative evaluation methods, which could include internal assessments, project work, or previous academic performance.

School authorities have been advised to stay in contact with CISCE and keep students informed about the next steps in the examination process.

Earlier Disruptions in the Examination Schedule

Before the final cancellation decision, the board had already postponed the exams from March 2 to April 6, 2026. The postponement was intended to allow time for the situation in the region to stabilize. However, as the broader security concerns in the Middle East continued, the board ultimately decided that conducting the examinations would not be feasible.

The ongoing tensions in the region have also disrupted the academic schedules of several schools and educational boards operating in the UAE.

Impact on Other Indian Boards

The disruption has not been limited to CISCE examinations. Students appearing for examinations conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) have also faced uncertainties due to the security situation. Educational authorities have been closely monitoring developments to ensure that student safety remains the top priority.

Indian schools abroad often follow CBSE or CISCE curricula, and any regional instability can significantly impact the academic calendar and examination schedules.

What Students Should Do Next

Students who were scheduled to appear for the ICSE and ISC exams in the UAE are advised to:

Stay in regular contact with their school authorities

Monitor official announcements from the CISCE board

Wait for updates regarding alternative assessment or result declaration procedures

The board is expected to release detailed guidelines soon to ensure that students' academic progress is not adversely affected.

Conclusion

The cancellation of the ICSE and ISC Board Exams 2026 in the UAE highlights the challenges faced by educational institutions during periods of regional instability. While the decision may create uncertainty for students, it has been taken with the primary objective of ensuring safety. Students and parents are encouraged to remain patient and await further instructions from CISCE regarding the evaluation process and result announcements.