CBSE cancels Class 12 exams in West Asia, introduces alternate assessment scheme

The Central Board of Secondary Education has cancelled Class 12 board examinations for students in several West Asian countries and introduced an alternative assessment scheme in view of ongoing extraordinary circumstances.

The decision applies to students in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, where exams scheduled between March 16 and April 10, including previously postponed papers, could not be conducted.

Under the revised policy, students who have appeared in all registered subjects will be evaluated based on their actual performance.

For those with incomplete exams, marks will be calculated using school-submitted data from quarterly, half-yearly, and pre-board assessments. Practical and internal assessment scores will remain unchanged.

The board has outlined subject-wise weightage for theory and practical components, ranging from 80/20 in subjects such as History and Political Science to 50/50 in subjects like Yoga and Early Childhood Care and Education.

Schools have been directed to upload student performance data on the CBSE portal between April 6 and April 13, 2026, after which the marks will be treated as final.

CBSE has also issued guidelines for students under the compartment category from 2025 or earlier, those who changed examination centers, and candidates who could not appear for the exams.

Compartment examinations are scheduled for July 2026, and students dissatisfied with their assessment may be allowed to appear for fresh exams, subject to feasibility.

The board said all records, including answer sheets, must be securely maintained under the supervision of school principals and may be verified to ensure accuracy. It warned that non-compliance with the guidelines could lead to cancellation of results and further action.

The policy is intended to ensure that students in affected regions are not disadvantaged in higher education admissions or future opportunities.

CBSE Controller of Examinations, Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj, said the scheme prioritizes both fairness and transparency while adapting to unprecedented international challenges.