After three CBSE circulars in a week, Class 10 board exams in the Middle East stand cancelled while Class 12 schedules remain under review, leaving thousands of Indian students and parents waiting for clarity.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued its third circular in a week on board examinations in the Middle East, deepening the uncertainty faced by Indian students across the Gulf.
In Circular-3 dated March 5, the board announced that all remaining Class 10 examinations scheduled between March 7 and March 11 in the Middle East region have been cancelled, while the Class 12 examination scheduled for March 7 has been postponed.
The decision affects CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where a large number of Indian expatriate families send their children to schools following the CBSE curriculum.
The development follows two earlier CBSE circulars issued on March 1 and March 3, which had already postponed several papers amid concerns arising from the prevailing situation in parts of the region.
Class 10 exams cancelled, evaluation method awaited
According to the latest directive, all Class 10 board examinations scheduled from March 7 to March 11 stand cancelled for candidates appearing from the Middle East centres.The board also confirmed that the examinations earlier postponed on March 2, March 5 and March 6 will now stand cancelled.
However, CBSE has not yet clarified how results will be prepared for students affected by the cancellation.
“The **mode of declaration of results for Class 10 candidates in the Middle East will be notified separately in due course,” the CBSE circular stated.
For many students, the announcement brings relief from uncertainty about further exams, but also raises questions about how the evaluation process will be handled.
Class 12 exam schedule still evolving
For Class 12 board examinations, the situation remains more fluid.
CBSE has postponed the examination scheduled for March 7, while stating that the situation will be reviewed again the same day before issuing directions regarding exams scheduled from March 9 onwards.Students have been advised to remain in close contact with their schools and rely only on official updates issued by the board.
Parents voice concern over academic timelines
The developments have triggered concern among parents across Gulf countries, many of whom are closely tracking the exam updates.
“I completely understand that student safety comes first,” said Anil Varghese, a parent of a Class 10 student studying in Dubai. “But students have been preparing for months. Now we are waiting to know how CBSE will calculate the results if the exams are cancelled.”
In Doha, Harpreet Kaur, whose daughter is appearing for the Class 12 board examinations, said uncertainty around exam dates could also affect college plans.
“For Class 12 students, board marks are very important for university admissions. The main worry is whether the revised schedule will delay results and admissions,” she said.
Some parents said clearer communication from authorities would help ease anxiety among students.“In situations like this, decisions may take time, but clarity about the evaluation process would help students focus,” said Suresh Nair, a parent based in Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile in Kuwait City, Gurpreet Singh, whose son studies in a CBSE-affiliated school, said many families are now simply waiting for the next update.
“Schools are trying to guide students, but everyone is waiting for CBSE’s next announcement,” he said.
A vast Indian schooling network in the Gulf
The Gulf region hosts one of the largest Indian expatriate communities in the world, and CBSE-affiliated schools form a major part of the educational ecosystem there.
The United Arab Emirates alone has more than 100 CBSE-affiliated schools, with several others operating across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
For students studying in these schools, Class 10 board results determine subject choices in senior secondary education, while Class 12 results are crucial for admissions to undergraduate programmes in India and abroad.
Any disruption in the examination schedule therefore has significant academic implications for students and their families.
CBSE Middle East exam situation: Important points
Class 10 exams: Cancelled for March 2–11
Class 12 March 7 exam: Postponed
Countries affected: UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iran
Next CBSE review: March 7
Result method for Class 10: To be announced
What happens next
With Class 10 examinations now cancelled in the region, attention has shifted to how CBSE will determine results for affected candidates.
For Class 12 students, the focus remains on the board’s next review scheduled for March 7, which will determine whether examinations from March 9 onwards will proceed as planned.
Until then, thousands of CBSE students across Gulf cities remain in a holding pattern, continuing their preparation while waiting for the board’s next decision.
