CBSE class 10, 12 exams scheduled for March 5, 6 in West Asian countries postponed
New Delhi, March 3
The Central Board of Secondary Education on Tuesday has postponed the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations scheduled for March 5 and 6, in select countries in West Asia, amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
According to a circular issued by CBSE, the Board will review the situation in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE on March 5 to make a decision on examinations scheduled on March 7.
"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 Class X and Class XII examinations scheduled to be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, and Friday, March 6, 2026, in the Middle East region. The new dates shall be announced later," CBSE said in the circular.
"The Board will review the situation on Thursday, 05 March 2026 and take appropriate decisions with regard to examinations scheduled from 07 March onwards. All students are advised to stay in touch with their schools for updates and follow official announcements carefully," the circular read.
The Indian Embassy in Oman also shared the update and advised students to stay in regular contact with their schools, follow only the CBSE announcements and avoid unofficial sources and rumours.
Earlier on Sunday, CBSE postponed the examinations scheduled on March 2.
This comes as the US and Israel conducted airstrikes across multiple Iranian cities on February 28, targeting military command centres, air-defence systems, missile sites, and key regime infrastructure. These strikes resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and four senior military and security officials, with large explosions reported in Tehran and other major cities.
In response, Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles and drones at US assets and allies across the region, including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, further widening the conflict in West Asia and heightening risks for civilians and expatriates alike.
In the recent developments, Hezbollah claimed a dawn attack on Israel's Ramat David Air Base, Al Jazeera reported. According to Hezbollah, it fired a swarm of drones at radar sites and control rooms at the air base on Tuesday.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While I agree safety comes first, the constant postponement must be so stressful for the students. They prepare for years for these exams. CBSE and schools need to have a robust contingency plan for such geopolitical crises affecting exam centers abroad. The uncertainty is the worst part.
Good move. Many Indian families in the Gulf are worried. The embassies giving clear advice is crucial to prevent panic. Students, please listen to your schools and the official CBSE notices only. Don't believe forwarded messages on WhatsApp!
It's heartbreaking that conflicts thousands of miles away are disrupting the lives and futures of young students. I hope for a swift de-escalation. These kids have worked hard and deserve to take their exams in peace.
This shows how interconnected the world is. A conflict in West Asia directly impacts Indian students there. Our government and CBSE are handling it well by prioritizing safety. Jai Hind.
Feel so bad for the Class 12 students especially. Admissions for colleges and universities will get delayed. They should consider online proctored exams as an alternative if the situation persists, though I know it's not ideal for everyone.
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