In a major blow to Indian expat students, CBSE has officially axed Class 12 board examinations in key Gulf countries due to the raging Iran-Israel hostilities. The affected nations include Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, where CBSE schools serve thousands of NRIs.
Announced via a March 15 circular, the cancellation covers all pending exams from March 16 to April 10, 2026. This follows multiple reviews and inputs from local authorities and school principals, overriding earlier postponement attempts outlined in prior notices.
The decision comes at a precarious time for students eyeing competitive entrance exams and international universities. CBSE’s global footprint spans 26 countries, but the Middle East’s instability has forced this rare full-scale halt.
Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, the exam controller, noted that safety overrides all else. Alternative assessment protocols for result declaration are under consideration, with guidelines to be released soon. Indian diplomatic missions across the region—from Dubai’s consulate to Tehran’s embassy—have been looped in.
This scenario underscores how international conflicts can upend educational plans. Families in these oil-rich hubs now grapple with uncertainty, hoping for a transparent resolution that safeguards their children’s futures amid the chaos.