The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially cancelled the Class 12 board examinations for students across several Middle Eastern nations. The decision, announced in a circular dated March 15, 2026, comes as a response to deteriorating security conditions and ongoing regional disruptions in West Asia.
The cancellation affects students enrolled in CBSE-affiliated schools in seven countries: Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The board’s move follows a series of incremental postponements issued on March 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. While authorities initially hoped to conduct the exams after a period of review, the persistent volatility in the region led to the total cancellation of all papers scheduled between March 16 and April 10, 2026.
The circular was issued by Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations at CBSE, and was shared with Indian diplomatic missions and CBSE regional offices in the Gulf to ensure that schools and students are informed about the decision. The board clarified the following:
- All exams previously postponed via earlier circulars are now officially cancelled.
- The decision was made after a feasibility review and inputs from local schools and authorities in the affected regions.
- The primary concern remains the safety and well-being of the thousands of Indian students living in these Gulf nations.
The decision to cancel the Class XII board examinations in several Middle Eastern countries has brought significant changes for students and schools. The board will soon announce the method for declaring results, and students are awaiting further instructions regarding their final evaluation.
