CBSE Postpones Class 12 Board Exams For March 9, 10, 11 In UAE, 6 Other Countries

2026-03-07 02:16:42

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

The revised dates are expected to be announced shortly, the authority told students and parents who are grappling with uncertainty about future plans amid the Iran war

PUBLISHED: Sat 7 Mar 2026, 3:00 PM

By:
Nasreen Abdulla

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The CBSE board examinations for Class 12 students in seven countries in the Middle East, scheduled to take place between March 9 and March 11, have been postponed. These will be rescheduled at later dates that will be announced shortly.

This was conveyed in a circular issued by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) dated March 7. The decision comes just days after the authority cancelled the remaining examinations for Class 10 students and postponed the previous exams for Class 12 students amid the ongoing Israel-US-Iran war.

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The decision affects students in the UAE, as well as those in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. It was taken following a review of the current situation in the region. Authorities said the situation will be reviewed again on March 10, after which a decision will be made regarding examinations planned from March 12 onward.

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Students have been advised to stay in contact with their schools and follow official announcements for further updates.

Trying to 'stay positive'

For many students and parents, the postponement has created a state of limbo.“We are trying to stay positive in this situation,” said Abu Dhabi resident Mahra Hussain, whose son was supposed to write his Math exam on March 9.“He has been preparing diligently but the constant uncertainty has been weighing on the students. So far, he has written only one exam. He will now start preparing for his other exams which we hope will go ahead as planned, now that there is some hope for peace with the Iranian President's announcement.”

Another parent, Mohammed Iqbal, said that the family was scheduled to travel to India in April for his daughter to write the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET-UG) in May, but is unsure what to do now.“We were supposed to leave by the middle of April, but we are not sure what to do now,” he said.“We are hoping that the situation will get resolved quickly.”

The exams, which began on February 17, are written by thousands of students worldwide. They are the first since the system's assessment method was significantly changed. Under the new system, CBSE students can take an exam twice in the same academic year to improve their grades. The first exams in February are mandatory, while the second set in May is optional. Previously, board exams were held in March, and students had only one chance to take them.