CBSE Board Exam 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations scheduled for 5 and 6 March in several Gulf countries, citing the prevailing war situation in West Asia.
According to a CBSE circular dated 3 March 2026, exams slated for Thursday, 5 March 2026 and Friday, 6 March 2026 have been deferred for students in affected countries across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The announcement was shared by the Embassy of India in Muscat, which described it as an important update for CBSE students in the region.
Countries affected by the CBSE exam postponement
The postponement applies to students appearing for CBSE board examinations in the following countries:
- Bahrain
- Iran
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
The move impacts both Class 10 and Class 12 candidates.
New CBSE exam dates to be announced
The board said that fresh CBSE 2026 Board Examination dates will be notified at a later stage.
In its circular, CBSE said it will review the situation on Thursday, 5 March 2026 and take a decision regarding examinations scheduled from 7 March onwards.
The step comes amid heightened regional tensions across parts of West Asia, prompting precautionary measures affecting travel, security and public events.
Advisory for CBSE students and parents
Students have been advised to:
- Stay in regular contact with their respective schools
- Follow only official CBSE announcements
- Avoid relying on unofficial sources or rumours
The official source cited is the CBSE Circular dated 3 March 2026.
The notice was issued from Muscat on 03.03.2026.
Further updates are expected after the board completes its review of the situation later this week.
The postponement comes as the US-Israel joint military campaign against Iran escalates into a wider Middle East conflict, with joint strikes by the United States and Israeli forces targeting Iranian leadership and military infrastructure.
Iranian missiles and drones have retaliated by hitting US bases and allied territories across the Gulf, prompting security alerts and travel advisories for civilians throughout the region. The ongoing hostilities have disrupted shipping through critical routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and raised concerns about broader geopolitical instability.
