New Delhi: A state of persistent tension prevails in the Middle East, causing the situation to steadily deteriorate. Due to escalating conflicts in Middle Eastern nations, the impact is now beginning to be felt in the education sector as well. Citing concerns regarding regional tensions and security considerations, a decision has been taken to cancel the Class 10 (ICSE) and Class 12 (ISC) board examinations in the United Arab Emirates.
This decision by the CISCE will directly affect students studying in the UAE who are affiliated with this board. In this context, the CISCE stated that this decision was taken primarily with security in mind. Furthermore, the cancellation of the board examinations followed a thorough review of the situation and consultations with local authorities regarding the conduct of the exams.
Know Who Was Consulted Before the Cancellation
According to a notice sent by the CISCE to schools amidst the tensions in the Middle East, the decision to cancel the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations has been finalised. The Council cancelled the exams after holding consultations with Dubai’s education regulator—the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA)—and the Consulate General of India in Dubai, while also taking into account the prevailing conflict situation.
Know When the Exams Were Scheduled
Originally, the CISCE was scheduled to conduct the ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) examinations in the United Arab Emirates between March 16 and April 6, 2026. However, given the intense tensions and the sensitive nature of the current times, it was deemed inappropriate to require students to appear for the examinations.
The CISCE had previously issued a notice announcing the decision to cancel all board examinations scheduled in the UAE from March 2 to March 14. This step was taken on security grounds, given the continued conflict and the absence of any improvement in the overall situation. Consequently, all examinations scheduled to be held up until April 6 have now been cancelled.
Guidelines Regarding Exams to Be Issued
For the information of all concerned, the CISCE has assured students and parents of Indian schools that the Board will soon issue specific guidelines regarding the examinations. Before this, the CISCE will conduct a further review of the situation and hold discussions with relevant officials regarding this matter.
