CBSE Cancels Class X Exams for Gulf Students Amid Regional Tensions The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced on Thursday (March 5, 2026) that the Class X board examinations for students in Gulf countries had been canceled following a “critical review of the prevailing situation in parts of the Middle East.” The board stated that the mode of declaring results for these students would be communicated separately “in due time.” In the same circular, the CBSE confirmed that the Class XII board exams, originally scheduled for Saturday (March 7) for students in the Gulf region, had been postponed indefinitely. This marks the third such update issued by the board for students in countries like Bahrain, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia since the conflict in West Asia escalated. The CBSE had previously postponed both Class X and XII exams for Gulf students scheduled for March 5 and 6, respectively, on Tuesday. In the latest circular, the board urged students to “remain in close contact” with their schools and emphasized reliance on official announcements for updates. According to Education Ministry data as of December 2024, there were approximately 214 middle, secondary, and senior secondary schools affiliated with the CBSE in the seven Gulf countries mentioned. However, the ministry noted that this list may include overlapping entries, as some senior secondary schools also offer secondary and middle school classes. The CBSE reiterated that the postponement of Class XII exams for Gulf students would remain in effect until further notice, reflecting the ongoing uncertainty in the region.#middle_east #central_board_of_secondary_education #cbse #gulf_countries #education_ministry
