Board scraps tests in seven Middle East countries; result method to be announced later
March 15, 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education has cancelled the remaining Class 12 board examinations scheduled for its affiliated schools across seven Middle Eastern countries. The decision affects students studying in CBSE-affiliated institutions in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The exams were originally scheduled to be conducted between March 16 and April 10, but the board said it decided to cancel them after reviewing whether it would be practical to hold the tests under the current circumstances.
The decision was communicated through a circular issued on March 15, 2026, to all affected schools. Earlier, several notices had already disrupted the examination schedule, with postponements announced on March 1, March 3, March 5, March 7 and March 9. With the latest order, all remaining Class 12 examinations planned within the March 16–April 10 window now stand officially cancelled.
CBSE said the method for evaluating affected students and declaring their results will be announced later through a separate notification. The Middle East remains one of the largest overseas hubs for CBSE schools, with more than 200 affiliated institutions across the region. As a result, the board’s upcoming decision on the assessment model will be closely watched by students, parents and schools.