Education news: The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) announced on Saturday that the remaining exams for Class 10 and 12 students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been cancelled, owing to the security concerns linked to the widening conflict involving the United States and Iran. Following CISCE’s move, the exam-bound students have been left in uncertainty. 

Results to be decided on the basis of alternative assessment

CISCE Chief Executive and Secretary, Dr Joseph Emmanuel said that the results for the affected high-school and intermediate candidates will be prepared on the basis of an ‘alternative assessment mechanism.’ The council, however, is yet to disclose more details regarding the methodology that will be adopted to evaluate students. 

The CISCE communicated the decision on March 12, 2026 by issuing a circular to heads of all the CISCE-affiliated schools in the UAE. The board also called off all remaining examinations scheduled up to April 6, 2026. The decision came in the backdrop of escalation of hostilities following US-Israeli strikes, which disrupted several papers planned between March 2 and March 14. 

Schools seek clarity

All CISCE-affiliated schools have welcomed the decision, but have raised concerns over students’ futures. Nargish Khambatta, Principal and CEO of GEMS Modern Academy, said that the announcement brought relief to the students in terms of travel and safety. She, however, noted that the parents of the Grade 12 students are anxious about university admissions and conditional offers. Lata Nakra, Principal of JSS International School in Dubai, remarked that the announcement brought a sense of calm after weeks of uncertainty, adding that the upcoming spring break may offer students and staff a much-needed pause. 

It is noteworthy that not only CISCE, but CBSE also cancelled the Class 10 exams, and deferred the Class 12 exams across parts of the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict.