The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations scheduled for March 2 in several West Asian countries following escalating tensions after US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory action in the Gulf region.
In an official circular, CBSE announced that the March 2 examinations “for both Class X and Class XII are postponed,” adding that revised dates will be notified later. The communication was sent to principals of over 150 CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The board stated that it will review the situation on March 3 and take a decision regarding exams scheduled from March 5 onwards. Students have been advised to stay in contact with their respective schools and follow official updates carefully.
West Asia hosts the largest overseas cluster of CBSE schools, with major exam centres located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh. The board examinations began on February 18, with over 4.37 million students — including 2.51 million in Class 10 and 1.86 million in Class 12 — appearing in India and abroad.
Punjab College Principal Stranded in Sharjah Seeks Help
In a related development, a Punjab-based college principal has sought urgent assistance from the Union government after being stranded in the UAE amid airspace closures.
Neeru Garg, principal of SSD Girls College in Bathinda, said what was meant to be a five-day leisure trip turned into a crisis after flights were cancelled following regional strikes. She claimed that she and her family were left stranded at Sharjah International Airport without sufficient cash or essential medicines.
Garg stated that they had completed all travel formalities for their IndiGo flight to Amritsar when authorities informed them that flights had been cancelled due to the developing situation.