The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a revised assessment policy for Class 12 students in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates after several board exams scheduled between March and April 2026 were cancelled due to persistent geopolitical challenges and exceptional circumstances that exist in West Asian countries. In the notification (CBSE/CE/SPPS/2026/2), issued on March 27, 2026, the board clarified that exams successfully conducted in February 2026 will remain valid and be included in the final results.
This one-time measure is designed to protect students from academic loss while maintaining fairness, transparency, and credibility in the evaluation process.
Who Is Affected?
The revised policy applies to 27 subjects, divided into:
- 17 academic subjects such as History, Political Science, Economics, Mathematics, Biology, English, and Hindi
- 10 skill-based subjects, including Information Technology, Banking, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Yoga
Flexible Evaluation Approach
CBSE has adopted a student-specific evaluation method based on exam participation:
- Students who completed all exams: Their results will be calculated using the marks from exams conducted before cancellations.
- Students who appeared for some subjects: Marks for the missed subjects will be derived from school assessments such as quarterly tests, half-yearly exams, and pre-boards.
- Students who missed all exams: Their entire result will be based on internal school performance, with an option to appear for exams later.
- Compartment candidates (single subject): They can sit for supplementary exams scheduled in July 2026.
Marking Scheme Explained
To ensure consistency, CBSE has outlined clear guidelines:
- For 80 or 70-mark theory papers, the best score among school exams will be considered
- For 60, 50, or 30-mark subjects, final pre-board marks will be prioritized, with earlier exams used if needed
- Practical and internal assessment marks already submitted by schools will remain unchanged
- The theory–practical ratio will vary by subject, ranging from 80:20 to 50:50
Schools at the Center of Implementation
Schools have been assigned a critical role in executing this plan:
- Marks must be uploaded on the CBSE portal between April 6 and April 13, 2026
- All supporting records must be preserved for verification
- No changes will be allowed after submission, and CBSE may audit entries to prevent malpractice
Results and What Comes Next
Results will be declared following standard CBSE guidelines. Students who fail to meet passing criteria will be placed under Compartment or Essential Repeat categories. A supplementary exam session is scheduled for July 2026 to give students another opportunity.
Focus on Fairness
CBSE emphasised that this consistent policy throughout the Gulf and West Asian regions ensures that no student is unfairly affected by circumstances beyond their control. The approach strikes a balance between flexibility and academic integrity while prioritising student welfare.
Re-evaluation and Support Options
After the results are announced, students will be able to:
- Request answer sheet copies
- Apply for re-evaluation
- Appear for supplementary exams if needed
With this adaptive strategy, CBSE aims to ensure that students continue their academic journey without disruption while upholding the board’s standards.
