In response to ongoing instability in parts of West Asia, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a revised assessment system for Class 12 students whose board exams were disrupted. The decision follows the cancellation of several examinations in Gulf countries due to safety concerns.

The policy applies to CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Exams scheduled between mid-March and early April 2026 were cancelled as conditions made it unsafe to continue.

Why Were the Exams Cancelled?

CBSE cited extraordinary and unpredictable conditions in the region as the reason behind the decision. Even previously postponed exams were eventually cancelled. The board emphasized student safety and continuity in education as its top priorities.

However, exams conducted earlier, especially those held until the end of February 2026, will remain valid and will be included in the final assessment.

Exams Completed Before Disruption

Before the cancellations, students had already appeared in 27 subjects, including both academic and skill-based courses. These results will be used wherever applicable in calculating final scores.

How Final Results Will Be Calculated

CBSE has created a flexible evaluation system based on students’ level of participation in the exams. Students are grouped into categories such as those who appeared in all subjects, some subjects, or none.

Final marks will be calculated using a combination of board exam scores (where available) and school-based assessments. Each subject includes both theory and practical/internal components.

Role of School Assessments

For subjects where exams were not conducted, schools will submit student performance data from:

• Quarterly examinations
• Half-yearly examinations
• Pre-board examinations

For subjects with higher theory weightage, the best score among these assessments will be considered. For subjects with lower theory weightage, pre-board marks will be used. Practical and internal assessment marks already submitted will remain unchanged.

Students Without Any Board Exam Scores

Students who could not appear for any exams will be evaluated entirely through school records. CBSE has also indicated that students may be given an opportunity to appear for fresh exams later, if feasible, and those marks will be treated as final.

Compartment candidates or students appearing for a single subject will be allowed to take supplementary exams, expected to be held in July 2026.

Submission of Marks

Schools must upload student marks within a specified period in April 2026. Once submitted, no corrections will be allowed. Schools are required to maintain records for verification, and CBSE may review the data to ensure fairness.

Impact and Future Steps

The new system aims to ensure that students in affected regions are not academically disadvantaged. Results will be released along with the regular Class 12 results using a uniform evaluation process.

Students who do not meet passing criteria will be placed in compartment or repeat categories and will have another opportunity through future examinations.

Conclusion

The disruption of exams highlights how external events can impact education systems. Through this alternative assessment approach, CBSE aims to maintain fairness while supporting students in continuing their academic progress.