The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to cancel Class 10 Board examinations in various West Asian countries due to escalating tensions in the region involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The Embassy of India in Muscat confirmed this development on Friday. The decision affects CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to a circular dated March 5, 2026, all Class 10 exams scheduled between March 7 and March 11 have been cancelled. Additionally, exams that were previously postponed and rescheduled for March 2, March 5, and March 6 have also been called off. The mode of result declaration for Class 10 students in West Asia will be communicated separately at a later stage.
Meanwhile, the Class 12 Board examination set for Saturday, March 7, has been postponed. Revised dates for the rescheduled exam will be announced later. The Board will assess the situation on March 7 and provide further instructions regarding exams scheduled from March 9 onwards. CBSE has advised Class 12 students to stay connected with their schools and follow official announcements for updates.
The cancellation of exams comes amidst significant developments in the region. On February 28, the United States and Israel conducted missile and drone strikes on various targets in Tehran, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound in the city center. Iran later confirmed Khamenei’s death in the attack. Subsequently, Iran retaliated by targeting Tel Aviv and other locations in Israel, as well as American military bases and diplomatic missions across West Asia.
Iran’s retaliatory strikes also impacted civilian and energy infrastructure in neighboring countries, such as an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia and a luxury hotel in Dubai. These exchanges of attacks have raised concerns about a broader regional conflict that could involve more West Asian nations and disrupt global energy markets significantly.
