After the Council of Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) officially canceled all remaining ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) exams for 2026 for centers in the UAE amid the widening scope of the US-Iran war, affected students in the region are said to be wondering how the assessment will be conducted now.
“CISCE will prepare the results for UAE candidates using an alternative assessment mechanism, details of which will be announced later,” Dr Joseph Emmanuel, CEO and Secretary, told HT.
He follows: Latest updates on the US-Iran War and the conflict in West Asia
The decision was conveyed through a circular dated March 12, Thursday, to the heads of all CISCE-affiliated schools in the UAE. This came after successive postponements of the exams originally scheduled between March 2 and 14, with the outbreak of war with the American-Israeli attacks on Tehran on February 28. The latest circular canceled all remaining exams until April 6.
“Moreover, after the announcement [results]The council’s statement added that candidates from the United Arab Emirates who were not satisfied with the grades awarded to them will be given the opportunity to apply for the 2026 improvement exam.
The announcement sparked what one manager described as “mixed emotions,” speaking to Emirati media.
Narjesh Khambatta, director and CEO of GEMS Modern Academy, told Gulf News that the decision is welcome as it “puts the saga of ‘to travel or not to travel’ to rest.” But she noted concerns: “Many K-12 parents are understandably concerned about college admissions and conditional offers, especially since students often rely on final exams to boost their grades.” She described the phrase “alternative evaluation mechanism” as “vague.”
“Clear guidelines on how results will be calculated, how moderation will be ensured, and when results will likely be announced will help reduce speculation and anxiety,” she said.
Lata Nakra, Principal of JSS International School, Dubai, was quoted as saying: “You have brought a kind of calm amidst the uncertainty. The spring break coming at the right time will give everyone a much-needed break.”
However, Khyati Agarwal, a Grade 12 student at GEMS Modern Academy, said: “We are confident that the board will implement an alternative system that is in the best interests of all students without affecting university admissions.”
CISCE is not alone in taking this step. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has separately canceled all Class 10 exams and has so far postponed Class 12 papers across the Middle East and West Asia region for the same reason.
(With inputs from Sanjay Maurya)
