The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations scheduled for March 5 and 6, 2026, in select Middle East countries after reviewing the situation in the region.

In a message to principals of CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the Board said the decision followed an assessment of prevailing conditions. Fresh dates for the affected papers will be announced later.

CBSE will review the situation again on March 5 and decide on examinations scheduled from March 7 onwards.

Students have been asked to remain in touch with their schools and check official updates regularly.

The official notice reads, “This is continuation to the circular dated March 1. After a critical review of the current situation in parts of the Middle East (Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE), the Board has decided to postpone the examinations scheduled for Thursday, 05 March 2026 and Friday, 06 March 2026, for both Class X and Class XII. The new dates shall be announced later."

Earlier, on March 1, CBSE had deferred the March 2 and 3 examinations in the same countries, citing security concerns. It had then said a review would be conducted before taking a call on subsequent papers, which has now led to the latest postponement.

The Board clarified that the decision applies only to schools in the Middle East. It also warned against a fake circular circulating on social media that claimed complete cancellation of exams due to “extraordinary global circumstances." CBSE said the notice was fabricated and urged students to rely only on official communication.

The circular was also shared with Indian ambassadors in the seven countries, the Consul General of India in Dubai and CBSE’s regional office in the UAE.

Source: News18