Education ICSE, ISC Board Exams Cancelled in UAE Over Security Concerns Amid Middle East Tensions

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has decided to cancel the Class 10 (ICSE) and Class 12 (ISC) board examinations for all examination centres in the United Arab Emirates. The move comes in response to security concerns linked to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and will affect thousands of Indian students enrolled in CISCE-affiliated schools across the country.

The ICSE and ISC exams were initially scheduled to take place between March 2 and April 6, 2026. The decision was taken after a fresh review of developments in the region and consultations with relevant authorities in the UAE and India.

The cancellation comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East, involving escalating developments between Iran, the United States, and Israel. In recent days, the region has witnessed reports of missile interceptions, drone activities, and disruptions to aviation services across parts of the Gulf.

Countries such as the UAE, Oman, and Bahrain have seen increased security alerts, with reports indicating that intercepted missiles and falling debris were observed in parts of Dubai. These developments have raised concerns about holding large public gatherings, including major school examinations.

The UAE is home to one of the largest Indian expatriate populations in the world, with a significant number of students studying in schools that follow Indian curricula. Several institutions across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah are affiliated with CISCE, which conducts the ICSE examination for Class 10 students and the ISC examination for Class 12 students.

The exam schedule had already faced disruption earlier this month when some papers were postponed due to regional developments. CISCE has not yet released details about how students will be assessed following the cancellation of the exams. However, education experts believe the council may consider alternative evaluation methods similar to those used during the Covid-19 pandemic.