Gulf Expat Students Shocked By Late CBSE Class 12 Re-Exams
Indian expatriate families residing in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Iran are expressing concern over the Central Board of Secondary Education's recent announcement regarding special Class 12 board re-examinations. The exams, covering 40 subjects comprising 20 academic and 20 skill-based subjects, were initially cancelled in March 2026 due to regional conflict involving Iran, with results previously issued based on an alternative internal-assessment scheme.
- Registration window is open from 22 September to 26 September 2026.
- No fees required and no option for subject changes.
- Examinations will be held at original Gulf school locations.
Supreme Court Order and Exam Rules
Following the Supreme Court order CWP-815 of 2026, the CBSE issued a circular on 15 September 2026, providing eligible students the opportunity to sit for actual examinations. The registration window is open from 22 September to 26 September 2026, with no fees required and no option for subject changes. Examinations will be held at original Gulf school locations, with specific dates yet to be announced. The policy stipulates that only students whose List of Candidates was submitted for the 2026 main exams and who received results under the assessment scheme are eligible, while absent students remain ineligible. The marks obtained in these new exams will be considered final.
Student and Parent Concerns
Despite these provisions, many parents and students argue the notification is untimely. Having already enrolled in universities in India, the UAE, and other regions, many students have already begun new academic courses and discarded their previous textbooks. One Dubai-based student, currently pursuing Artificial Intelligence in India, stated that the offer would have been beneficial in May or June, but at this stage, the requirement to travel back to Gulf centers for examinations is impractical. While institutions such as the Indian High Group are organizing refresher classes, school principals have acknowledged that logistical coordination remains a significant challenge.