How the US-Iran Crisis Is Impacting CBSE Board Exams in the Middle East

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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled Class 10 board exams and postponed Class 12 tests across the Middle East. This decision comes after escalating military conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran led to drone strikes and regional instability.

Impacting thousands of Indian expatriates in seven nations, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, the Board’s move prioritizes student safety as regional air defenses remain on high alert.

Conflict Causes Sudden Changes for Schools Overseas


More than 200 schools in the Gulf region have stopped their normal schedules. On 5 March 2026, officials said that Class 10 tests were canceled through 11 March. Class 12 students also won’t be able to take their 7 March exams. This decision follows airstrikes near big cities like Dubai and Riyadh.

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According to an official report by Devdiscourse: "The CBSE has canceled Class 10 exams scheduled till March 11 in the Middle East due to escalating tensions... This comes after military offensives between the US, Israel, and Iran led to increased instability in the region."

The board is talking to embassy workers now as they want to ensure no one has to travel during dangerous times. They are also closely watching the air defense systems.

How Will Grades Work Since CBSE Cancels Class 10 Board Exams?


The board has not shared the final plan yet, but they will likely look at work from the whole school year. Historical precedents from the pandemic era and internal circulars suggest a heavy reliance on year-long performance.

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Overall, class 12 students have a harder situation as their college admissions depend on these final marks. However, the board wants to hold these tests later when it is safe. 

According to Republic World: "The mode of declaration of results for Class X candidates in the Middle East will be notified later... For class 12, the exam scheduled on March 7 has been postponed and the situation will be reviewed for future exams."

This situation shows that schools must be ready for rare situations. For the industry, this highlights the urgent need for a ‘hybrid exam’ infrastructure that can be activated instantly when physical centers are unsafe. Moving forward, the CBSE will likely formalize a permanent contingency grade-weighting system for all overseas students. This is to provide clarity during future geopolitical shifts.

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