CBSE debunks fake circular on Class 12 English exam for Middle East centres, confirms March 16 reschedule

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a clarification debunking a forged circular that falsely claimed the Class XII English examination for students in Middle East centres would be conducted on March 12, 2026.In a post shared from its official account on the morning of the scheduled exam, the board announced that the notice circulating online is fake and misleading, noting that the exam for affected centers has already been postponed and rescheduled to March 16, 2026.The misinformation created confusion among students appearing from CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, prompting the board to issue an urgent clarification.

CBSE flags forged notice circulating online

CBSE warned that a forged circular was being widely circulated on social media platforms claiming that the Class 12 English exam for Middle East students would proceed as originally scheduled on March 12.Check the official X post made by the official CBSE account below:

The board also clarified that the document was not sent by the CBSE and advised students and parents to refer only to the notifications sent by the board.

The clarification was put up on the morning of the day the exam was to be conducted, reflecting the concern about the spread of misinformation during the ongoing board exams.

Exam rescheduled due to regional conflict

CBSE had earlier announced that the Class 12 English examination for Middle East centres would be conducted on March 16, 2026, after the board decided to postpone the test due to safety concerns arising from the Iran–Israel conflict.The revised schedule applies to students appearing from CBSE schools across the affected countries in the Gulf region.

The board had communicated the change through official notifications issued earlier as well as subsequent updates.

CBSE advises reliance on official sources

Amid the confusion triggered by the fake circular, CBSE has urged candidates to verify all examination-related information only through official CBSE platforms, including the board’s website and verified social media handles.The board reiterated that the Class 12 English exam for Middle East centres will now be held on March 16, 2026, and students should prepare according to the revised schedule.