CBSE postpones Class 12 exams in UAE and six other Middle East countries for March 9-11

CBSE board examinations for Class 12 students scheduled to be held from March 9 to March 11, 2026, have been postponed in seven countries in the Middle East. The exams will be rescheduled at revised dates to be announced shortly. On March 7, the board issued a circular, conveying the information. The decision comes days after the authorities cancelled the remaining examinations for Class 10 and postponed the previous exams scheduled for Class 12 due to the ongoing Israel-US-Iran war. The decision applies to students in the UAE along with those in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The decision was taken after a review of the current situation in the region.

Authorities added that the situation would be reviewed again on March 10, after which a decision will be made on the examinations planned from March 12 onwards. Students have been advised to stay in touch with their schools and follow official announcements for further updates.

Students face growing anxiety

Class XII examinations are considered to be one of the most vital academic phases of a student's life. Children prepare for their subjects diligently, following strict schedules and maintaining discipline.

However, all that effort has been transformed into a consistent state of anxiety following the postponement of exams and the conflicts in the region. “We are trying to stay positive in this situation,” said Abu Dhabi resident Mahra Hussain, whose son was supposed to write his Math exam on March 9, according to Khaleej Times.Another parent, Mohammed Iqbal, said that his family was scheduled to travel to India in April for his daughter to appear for the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET-UG) in May but is unsure of the future now.

“We were supposed to leave by the middle of April, but we are not sure what to do now,” he said. “We are hoping that the situation will be resolved quickly.”

Exam schedule changes

The exams which began on February 17, are written by thousands of students across the globe. Earlier they were held in March, once a year. However, under the new system, students can take an exam twice in an academic year to improve their grades. The first attempt held in February is mandatory, while the second set in May is optional. For Class X, exams scheduled between 2-11March 2026 have been cancelled. A decision on the result declaration process is yet to be announced by the board.