CBSE Announces Special Class 12 Examinations for UAE and West Asia Students Affected by 2026 Exam Cancellations

Students across the UAE and several West Asian countries whose CBSE Class 12 board examinations were cancelled amid regional tensions are being given another opportunity to sit their affected subjects.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced special Class 12 examinations for eligible students in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iran.

The special examinations are intended for students whose 2026 Class 12 papers were cancelled and whose results for those subjects were subsequently determined under CBSE’s special assessment scheme.

For students preparing for university admissions, scholarships and the next stage of their education, the announcement is particularly significant.

What has CBSE announced?

CBSE will conduct special examinations across 40 subjects, comprising 20 academic subjects and 20 skill-based subjects, for eligible regular and private Class 12 candidates affected by the cancellations.

According to the announced arrangements, registration for the special examinations will take place from 22 to 26 September 2026.

There will be no examination fee for eligible candidates.

The examination timetable is expected to be announced after the registration process has been completed.

Which countries are covered?

The special examination arrangements apply to affected CBSE Class 12 students in seven West Asian countries:

United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iran.

Students and parents should note that this is not a general Class 12 re-examination available to all CBSE students. Eligibility relates specifically to candidates affected by the cancellation of the relevant 2026 examinations and whose results were declared under CBSE’s assessment arrangements.

Can students choose which subjects to retake?

One of the most important aspects of the announcement is that eligible students can choose which of their previously cancelled subjects they wish to sit.

This gives students an opportunity to decide whether taking a special examination in a particular subject is appropriate for their individual circumstances.

There is, however, an important consequence that students and families should understand before making that decision:

The marks obtained in the special examination will replace the assessment-based marks for that subject and become final.

Students should therefore review the applicable CBSE instructions carefully and discuss their options with their school before registering.

Why were the original examinations cancelled?

CBSE examinations in parts of West Asia were disrupted in 2026 as regional security conditions affected the normal examination schedule.

The Board subsequently introduced an assessment mechanism for affected Class 12 candidates so that results could still be declared despite examinations in certain subjects not taking place as originally scheduled.

The new special examinations provide eligible students with an additional opportunity to demonstrate their academic performance through an examination.

Why could this matter for university-bound students?

Class 12 results can play an important role in the transition from school to higher education.

Depending on the university, programme and country involved, academic results may be considered for admission requirements, conditional offers, scholarships, competitive programmes or subject-specific entry criteria.

Students considering the special examinations should therefore look beyond whether they simply want to improve an individual mark.

They should consider how the final result could affect their specific university or scholarship application and, where relevant, confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the institution.

Key dates and information for students

Students and parents should rely on official CBSE communications and instructions from their schools for individual eligibility, registration procedures, subject availability and examination scheduling.

From education to career: why opportunities like this matter

At VSCareer.com, we normally talk about employment, skills, recruitment and career opportunities.

But a career does not begin with the first job application.

For many young people, it begins with decisions made during school: the subjects they pursue, the qualifications they achieve, the university programme they choose and the opportunities they are able to access afterwards.

The students affected by the 2026 examination disruption did not choose the circumstances that interrupted an important stage of their education.

Providing eligible students with another opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge therefore represents more than simply scheduling another examination.

It gives students another route forward.

For those preparing to sit the special examinations, the coming weeks will be an opportunity to refocus, prepare and demonstrate what they can achieve.

VSCareer.com wishes every affected student across the UAE and the wider region success in the next stage of their journey.

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This article is intended as general information. Students and parents should verify examination eligibility, registration procedures, subjects and dates through CBSE and their respective schools before taking action.