The past week has been anything but ordinary for families in Dubai. Between school going remote, flights grounded, and a regional crisis unfolding in real time. Thousands of CBSE students have been left wondering what happens to their board exams. If you are a student or a parent looking for a straight answer, you are in the right place. Here is everything you need to know, based only on what CBSE Exams in Dubai have officially confirmed.
| This article will be updated as CBSE issues new directives. Always cross-check with your school’s official communication and the CBSE website at cbse.gov.in. |
CBSE Exams — Quick Status at a Glance
Official status based on CBSE Circular No. CBSE/CE/SPPS/2026/2 dated 5 March 2026
| Exam / Group | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Class X — Board Exams | ||
All March Exams (Mar 7–11) All pending Class X papers | Cancelled | |
Mar 2, 5 & 6 Exams Previously postponed dates | Cancelled | |
Class X Result Declaration Grading method | Pending | |
| Class XII — Board Exams | ||
Saturday, 7 March Exam Class XII scheduled paper | Postponed | |
9 March Onwards All remaining Class XII papers | Pending | |
| Scope | ||
Countries Affected All CBSE Middle East centres | Active | |
Why Did This Happen? The Background
On 28 February 2026, the UAE was directly impacted by debris from Iranian retaliatory missile strikes following joint US-Israel air strikes on Iran. Dubai International Airport was shut for 48 hours. Schools across the UAE moved to remote learning. The disruption triggered an unprecedented response from institutions across the region, including India’s Central Board of Secondary Education, which administers board exams at hundreds of affiliated schools in the Gulf.
CBSE had already issued earlier circulars on March 1 and March 3, postponing select exams. On 5 March 2026, the board issued Circular-3 (Ref: CBSE/CE/SPPS/2026/2), signed by Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations. With a complete update on the situation for all affiliated schools across Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
CBSE Exams in Dubai For Class X Students
What Has Been Cancelled?
According to the official circular, CBSE has cancelled all Class X board exams that were scheduled between March 7 and March 11, 2026, across the Middle East region. In addition, exams that were originally scheduled for March 2, 5, and 6 and had already been postponed once have been cancelled as well. Subjects affected include all papers that were still pending after the initial exams in February.
What About Students Who Already Wrote Some Papers?
Many Class X students had already completed between two and four exams before the crisis began on February 28. Subjects like Mathematics, Science, Data Science, and English were written successfully in the February sitting. The remaining papers, which were yet to be taken, are what stand cancelled.
| Important: The exams that you already wrote are NOT affected. Only the remaining, unwritten exams have been cancelled. |
How Will Class X Results Be Declared?
This is the biggest question right now, and the honest answer is: CBSE has not yet announced the method. The circular states that the mode of result declaration for Class X candidates in the Middle East will be notified separately in due course.
CBSE Exams in Dubai For Class XII Students
For Class XII, the situation is different and arguably more uncertain day-to-day, but it is not as final as Class X. The exam scheduled for Saturday, March 7, has been postponed. The board has said it will review the ground situation on March 7 and then issue directions for all exams from Monday, March 9 onwards.
In simple terms, Class XII exams are in a holding pattern. They are not cancelled. The board is watching the security situation and will decide whether to proceed, postpone further, or take other measures.
What Should Class XII Students Be Doing Right Now?
- Stay connected with your school. CBSE has specifically directed all Class XII students to remain in close contact with their school and follow official announcements carefully. Your school is the first point of contact for any new directives.
- Do not stop preparing. Postponed is not cancelled. Treat this as extra revision time. Exams will happen, the question is when.
- Check cbse.gov.in directly. Do not rely on WhatsApp forwards. The official source is the only reliable one.
- Keep your admit card and documents ready. When exams resume, you need to be able to show up on short notice.
- Talk to your parents and manage stress. Uncertainty is exhausting. It is okay to acknowledge that this is a hard situation. Step away from social media, where misinformation spreads fast.
If You Are a Parent
- Touch base with your child’s school to understand what they’ve shared with CBSE and where things stand on timing.
- If your child is in Class XII, it’s worth asking the school whether they have an internal exam plan in place and if any additional assessments are on the cards.
- Avoid sharing unverified information from social media with your child. Stick to official circulars only.
- Be patient with the CBSE process. The situation is evolving, and decisions will be communicated officially.
Early Spring Break Holiday For All Schools In Dubai
In response to the ongoing crisis, the UAE Ministry of Education has announced that spring break for all public and private schools will begin from March 9. This applies to both Dubai and Sharjah private schools, and to universities as well. For CBSE students, this means that if Class XII exams resume from March 9 or later, it will coincide with the start of spring break, creating additional scheduling complexity. Your school will be your best guide on how this interacts with any rescheduled exam dates.
What to Watch For?
| CBSE Official Website | cbse.gov.in |
| Official CBSE Circular | CBSE/CE/SPPS/2026/2 dated 05 March 2026 — available at cbse.gov.in/circulars |
FAQs
No, the circular cancels the exams entirely. Results will be calculated using a method CBSE will announce separately. There is no indication that students will be required to rewrite papers for this cycle.
No. Class XII exams are postponed, not cancelled. Specifically, as per the notice, only the March 7 exam is postponed. For exams from March 9 onwards, CBSE will issue fresh directions after reviewing the situation on March 7.
The UAE government has confirmed it will cover food and accommodation costs for stranded travellers during the crisis. The Department of Culture and Tourism has asked hotels to extend the stays of passengers who cannot travel due to circumstances beyond their control. Contact your hotel directly, and also check with your airline about rebooking or refund options.
Yes, major malls, including Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, are open and operating normally. Supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals, the Dubai Metro, and most restaurants are all running. However, some outdoor attractions remain closed.
Images: Freepik
Also Read: Everything You Need to Know About Reaching Oman from Dubai (March 2026)
