The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a public announcement of the postponement of Class 12 board examinations on 12 to 16 March 2026 across multiple Middle Eastern countries. The decision has been taken as the region struggles with major security uncertainties in the wake of the U.S.-Israel-Iran escalation.
Subjects and Countries Pertained
The postponement affects a number of core papers due this week:
- March 12: English Elective and English Core
- March 13: Tourism, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- March 14: Home Science
- March 16: Hindi Elective and Hindi Core
The directive is for all CBSE schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Reasons for Delay
In an official statement dated March 9, CBSE Controller of Examinations Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj said the main force driving the delay had been a "critical review of the current situation" and "mental agony of the students". The board said that as the conflict continues to throw normal life in parts of the Gulf into turmoil, the safety of students and staff is the top priority.
Earlier this month, they had already cancelled Class 10 examinations in the region and postponed many earlier Class 12 tests. That latest step elongates the leave, in keeping with the board’s cautious view of the changing geo-political situation.
What Should Students Do?
Revised Exam Dates: No new dates for the new exam subjects have been announced. CBSE will have to reschedule an issue at a later time, if circumstances resolve. The next look will determine once again the examination schedule to be reviewed by the board on 14 March 2026.
Staying in the Loop: Both students and parents should know to keep in touch with their respective school principals and to visit the official CBSE website (cbse.gov.in) for verified updates.
The Indian Embassy in some of these countries has even released parallel advisories encouraging Indian nationals to stay aware and to refrain from travelling excessively while the board deals with correcting the work of the academic calendar.
