The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has decided to cancel the ICSE and ISC board examinations at all examination centres in the United Arab Emirates. The decision follows growing geopolitical instability in the Middle East and will affect a large number of Indian students studying in CISCE-affiliated schools across the country.

The cancelled examinations include the Class 10 ICSE and Class 12 ISC board tests. Earlier, the exams had only been postponed, but after reviewing the situation in the region, the council confirmed that the examinations will not take place in the UAE this year.

Decision Made After Reviewing Security Conditions

According to information shared with schools through an official circular, the council reached this decision after discussions with relevant authorities. These included Dubai’s education regulator, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), as well as the Consulate General of India in Dubai.

Officials assessed the prevailing security environment and the practicality of conducting large-scale examinations. Following this review, CISCE concluded that holding the exams in UAE centres would not be feasible under the current circumstances.

The board exams had earlier been rescheduled to take place between March 2 and April 6, 2026. However, the council ultimately chose cancellation as a precautionary measure to prioritise the safety of students, teachers and examination staff.

Rising Regional Tensions Disrupt Academic Plans

The decision comes amid increasing tensions in the Middle East linked to the ongoing confrontation involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

In recent days, several Gulf countries—including the UAE, Oman and Bahrain—have witnessed missile interceptions, drone activity and disruptions to air travel. Reports from parts of Dubai about intercepted missiles and debris falling in certain areas have raised concerns regarding public safety.

Given these developments, authorities and institutions have become cautious about organising large gatherings, including major examinations involving thousands of students.

Large Number of Indian Students Affected

The UAE is home to one of the world’s largest Indian expatriate populations, and many students in the country attend schools that follow Indian academic boards.

A number of these institutions are affiliated with CISCE, which conducts two major annual examinations: the ICSE for Class 10 and the ISC for Class 12.

These board exams are normally held not only in India but also at international centres during the spring academic session. This year, however, the schedule had already been disrupted earlier in March when some exam papers were postponed due to developments in the region.

Evaluation Method Yet to Be Announced

CISCE has not yet clarified how students in the UAE will be assessed after the cancellation of the exams. Education specialists suggest that the council may adopt an alternative evaluation system similar to the approach used during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Possible methods could involve a combination of internal school assessments, pre-board examination performance, coursework submissions and practical evaluations.

Such an approach would allow students to receive final results and continue their academic progress without losing an academic year.

Schools Reassure Students and Parents

Following the announcement, several Indian schools in cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have urged students and parents to remain calm. School administrations have said that further instructions will be shared once the council releases detailed guidelines regarding the evaluation process.

Educators have emphasised that examination boards generally ensure that students are not placed at a disadvantage during exceptional situations.

Counsellors are also providing support to students—particularly those in Class 12, whose results play a key role in university admissions.

Experts note that cancelling board examinations across an entire country is uncommon, but extraordinary circumstances such as geopolitical instability or major crises sometimes make such decisions unavoidable. Students in the UAE are now awaiting further updates from CISCE regarding how their final assessments will be carried out.