Kamal Ghorui
The Central Board of Secondary Education has deferred Class X and Class XII board examinations scheduled in several Middle East countries, extending an earlier decision that had already disrupted the examination calendar for students in the region.In a circular dated March 3, 2026, the Board announced that examinations fixed for Thursday, March 5, 2026 and Friday, March 6, 2026 in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE stand postponed. Revised dates will be notified separately.Further postponement after earlier deferralThe latest order follows a circular issued on March 1, 2026. In that communication, examinations scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2026 for both Class X and Class XII in the same countries were postponed.The March 1 circular had stated that the Board would assess the prevailing situation on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 and take a call on examinations planned from March 5 onwards. After that review, the circular confirmed the additional postponement of papers slated for March 5 and March 6.Students have been advised to remain in regular contact with their respective schools and to follow official updates issued by the Board.Ongoing annual examinations in India and abroadThe Board is currently conducting the annual secondary and senior secondary examinations across India and in affiliated schools overseas. The Class X and Class XII board examinations commenced in mid-February and are scheduled to continue until early April, covering thousands of schools in India as well as institutions in foreign countries affiliated to CBSE.The examination process includes theory papers conducted in designated centres, with detailed subject-wise timetables issued in advance. Schools are responsible for implementing instructions relating to examination conduct, invigilation and distribution of confidential materials in accordance with CBSE guidelines.The postponements announced for select Middle East countries apply only to the specified dates and centres in those regions. Further decisions regarding examinations scheduled from March 7 onwards will be taken after a review on Thursday, March 5, 2026, as stated in the latest circular issued by the Controller of Examinations, Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj.
