CBSE Board Exam 2026 BIG Update: Examinations for Class 10 and Class 12 postponed in Middle East, new dates here

Citing the current security situation in the region, the Board, in a notice said that the decision affects students at CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

CBSE Board Exam 2026 POSTPONED: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to postpone the Class 10 and Class 12 examinations in the Middle East amid the rising tensions in the region. Citing the current security situation in the region, the Board, in a notice, said that the decision affects students at CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.  In a fresh notice on Tuesday, the CBSE said that exams for both classes scheduled to be held on March 5 and 6 in the Middle East region stand postponed.

CBSE Controller of Examinations Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj earlier had said the board will review the situation on Tuesday, March 3, and announce new exam dates as well as decisions regarding examinations scheduled from March 5 onwards.

A list of countries where CBSE has postponed exams:

The CBSE, last year, had announced a dual-board exam structure for Class 10 students. It is important to note that the dual-exam system is aimed at allowing candidates to re-appear in certain papers where they might have scored less; allowing for an ‘improvement’ option.

Important Update on Class X/XII Exams – Middle East Regions

CBSE has issued Circular-2 today regarding the Class X & XII Board Exams in the Middle East regions.
Details are in attached Circular pic.twitter.com/JAHPj3SBjW

— CBSE HQ (@cbseindia29) March 3, 2026

Here are some of the important details:

• CBSE will introduce ‘On-Screen Marking’ (OSM) for Class 12 board examinations from 2026.
• This, according to the Board, will be a “much-needed shift” from physical evaluation of answer sheets to a fully digital assessment system.
• The Board has estimated, for Class 12 Board Exams 2026, as many as 18,57,479 (18 lakh) students are expected to appear across 120 subjects.
• The Board will handle an estimated 1,00,44,295 (10.4 crore) answer books.
• The scale of exams, which also includes several centres abroad, Bhardwaj said, is precisely why CBSE is moving to digital evaluation.