CBSE Plans Fresh Exams for Gulf Students After Cancellations

CBSE decides to conduct special Class 12 examinations for students in seven West Asian countries whose papers were cancelled amid regional conflict, allowing eligible candidates to improve results through the affected subjects.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to conduct special Class 12 board examinations for students in West Asian countries whose examinations were cancelled earlier in 2026 due to the prevailing regional security situation. The decision applies to candidates whose results were prepared under the special assessment scheme introduced after the cancellation of the examinations.

The affected countries include Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. CBSE had cancelled Class 12 examinations in these locations for 40 subjects, comprising 20 academic and 20 skill-based subjects. The decision followed the board's assessment of the situation and concerns over conducting examinations safely in the affected region.

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Following the cancellation, CBSE notified an assessment scheme on March 27, 2026, for preparing the results of affected students. Results for regular Class 12 candidates from West Asian countries were subsequently declared on May 13 along with other Class 12 results. Private candidates were also awarded results under the applicable assessment arrangement.

The assessment scheme provided an opportunity for students dissatisfied with the marks awarded through the alternative process to appear for examinations in subjects for which the original papers could not be conducted. CBSE has now proceeded with this special examination arrangement for eligible candidates.

CBSE has invited eligible candidates to submit their List of Candidates (LOC) details for the special examinations. According to the board's latest examination circulars, the LOC submission process begins on September 22, 2026, with the deadline set for September 26. The examination schedule and date sheet are to be announced after completion of the LOC process.

Candidates can appear in the subjects for which they are eligible under the special examination arrangement. CBSE has clarified that no examination fee will be charged for these examinations and that the examination centres will remain unchanged. Candidates are required to submit the examination forms directly through the prescribed process.

The board has also clarified that candidates cannot change the subjects covered by the special examination arrangement. Students who did not appear in the original examination for reasons unrelated to the circumstances covered by the special arrangement are not eligible for these examinations.

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For  candidates who appear in the special examinations, the result obtained through the new examination will be treated as the final result and will replace the earlier performance awarded under the assessment scheme. CBSE has also stated that no post-result declaration facilities will be available for these special examinations.

The special examination process provides affected students with an opportunity to have their performance assessed through written examinations in subjects that could not be conducted earlier, following the disruption to the 2026 Class 12 examination schedule in West Asia.