The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has cancelled all remaining 2026 ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) examinations in the United Arab Emirates. The decision comes as the conflict between the United States and Iran continues to escalate in West Asia.

The announcement has left many students and parents wondering how the final results will now be calculated. Dr Joseph Emmanuel, chief executive and secretary of CISCE, said the council will use a different method to evaluate students.

"CISCE will prepare results for UAE candidates using an alternative assessment mechanism, the details of which will be announced later," he told HT.

Exams Cancelled After Repeated Delays

CISCE informed school heads in the UAE about the decision through a circular issued on March 12. The council cancelled all remaining examinations scheduled until April 6.

Earlier, the exams had already been postponed several times. The disruption began after the war intensified following US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28. Initially, the affected papers were planned between March 2 and March 14. The latest order officially scrapped the remaining exams for students appearing from UAE centres.

Option for Improvement Exams

The council also said that students who are unhappy with their results will get another chance to improve their scores.

“Further, after the declaration of the [results], candidates from UAE who are not satisfied with the marks awarded to them will be given an opportunity to appear for the Year 2026 Improvement Examination,” the council said in its communication.

Schools Report Mixed Reactions

School leaders in the UAE said the announcement brought relief but also raised new concerns. Nargish Khambatta, principal and CEO of GEMS Modern Academy, told Gulf News that the decision ended uncertainty about travel plans. She said the move “puts the 'to travel or not to travel' saga at rest”.

However, she also pointed out that many families remain worried about how the alternative evaluation will affect university admissions.

"Many Grade 12 parents are understandably anxious about university admissions and conditional offers, particularly as students often rely on their final examinations to strengthen their scores.” Khambatta also said the phrase “alternative assessment mechanism” needs clearer explanation.

"Clear guidelines about how results will be computed, how moderation will be ensured, and when results are likely to be announced will help reduce speculation and anxiety," she added.

Some Schools Welcome Temporary Relief

Lata Nakra, principal of JSS International School in Dubai, said the decision has brought some stability during a tense time. "It has brought some kind of calm amid the uncertainty. The well-timed spring break will give everyone the much-needed pause.”

Students Hope for Fair Assessment

Students also reacted to the decision with cautious optimism. Khyati Agarwal, a Class 12 student at GEMS Modern Academy, said students trust the board to make the right choice.

"We trust that the Council will implement an alternate system in the best interests of all students without affecting university admissions."

Other Boards Taking Similar Steps

CISCE is not the only education board taking action due to the conflict. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also cancelled all Class 10 examinations and postponed Class 12 papers in several Middle East and West Asia centres because of the same security concerns.

The situation has disrupted the academic schedule for thousands of Indian students studying in the region.