CBSE debunks fake circular amid confusion over board exams in Middle East

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has dismissed a viral circular claiming that the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations for 2026 would be cancelled in the Middle East region, saying the notice circulating on social media is fake and unauthorised.

The clarification comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Iran and Israel, which has led to confusion among students and parents about the status of exams.

The bogus document, which bore a CBSE letterhead and was falsely attributed to the board’s Controller of Examinations, claimed that the remaining language papers and the Class 10 Social Science exam scheduled for March 7, 2026, would not be held at examination centres across the Middle East because of “extraordinary global circumstances and prevailing war conditions.” The notice also suggested an alternate evaluation method would be used.

In response, the board issued an official alert on X (formerly Twitter), stating simply: “Important Alert!! This is a fake circular. An official update will follow.” Students, parents and school authorities were urged to rely only on information shared through CBSE’s official website — cbse.gov.in — or other verified channels for authentic updates on the examination schedule.

The Class 10 and 12 board examinations are currently underway across India and internationally, with millions of students registered to appear. CBSE’s official clarification noted that the exams are being conducted at thousands of centres in India and 26 countries abroad, including several in the Middle East.

The fake circular sparked widespread concern among Indian expatriate families and students in the Gulf region, where a significant number of CBSE-affiliated schools operate.

Social media users and online forums were flooded with speculation and attempts to verify the legitimacy of the notice before the board’s denial was issued.

Authorities reiterated that any genuine postponement or change to the board exam schedule would be communicated officially by the board and coordinated with schools in the affected regions.