The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled Class 10 board examinations scheduled till March 11 in several Middle East countries and postponed the Class 12 board examination scheduled for March 7, citing the ongoing conflict and security concerns in the region.
The announcement was made by CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj on Thursday, who stated that the decision was taken considering the prevailing situation in parts of the Middle East.
Exams Cancelled and Postponed
According to the official notification, Class 10 board exams scheduled till March 11 have been cancelled for CBSE-affiliated schools in several countries in the Gulf region.
Meanwhile, the Class 12 board exam scheduled for March 7 has been postponed, and the board said the mode of result declaration or rescheduling for the affected papers will be announced later.
“Due to the current situation in parts of the Middle East — Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE — the board has decided to cancel Class 10 exams scheduled till March 11,” Bhardwaj said.
Countries Affected by the Decision
The exam cancellation and postponement will impact students studying in CBSE-affiliated schools in the following countries:
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United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
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Bahrain
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Iran (Tehran)
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Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)
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Kuwait
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Oman (Muscat)
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Qatar
The board had earlier postponed examinations for both Class 10 and Class 12 students in the region as tensions escalated.
Conflict Disrupts Education
The disruption in examinations comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, following joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran and retaliatory attacks targeting US bases and diplomatic missions across the region.
Several countries including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have witnessed security alerts and military activities, prompting educational institutions and authorities to adopt precautionary measures.
Conflict Expands Beyond the Region
Recent developments indicate that the conflict is beginning to have wider geopolitical implications. Reports suggest that a US submarine torpedoed an Iranian warship near the coast of Sri Lanka, further escalating tensions.
In another development, Azerbaijan warned of retaliation after a drone attack hit an airport in the country, raising concerns that the conflict could expand to additional regions.
According to Iran’s state news agency Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), over 1,045 military personnel and civilians have reportedly been killed since the war began, though independent verification of the figures has not been confirmed.
Iranian media also reported that several civilian structures in Tehran, including a sports complex, football stadium, municipal building and commercial establishments, were damaged in strikes carried out by Israeli and US forces.
CBSE to Announce Further Updates
The CBSE said it will continue to monitor the situation and issue further updates regarding the rescheduling of exams and evaluation process for affected students in due course.
The board’s decision aims to ensure the safety and academic fairness for thousands of students studying in CBSE-affiliated schools across the Middle East.
