ICSE & ISC Board Exams 2026 in UAE Cancelled: CISCE Announces Cancellation Amid Security Crisis

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has cancelled the ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12, all streams) board exams in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The decision was taken due to security concerns and ongoing tensions in the Middle East region. Thousands of Indian students studying in UAE schools under the CISCE board are now affected by this decision.

According to media reports, CISCE took this step after carefully reviewing the security situation in the region. The decision was also made after consultations with concerned authorities and diplomatic representatives to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Earlier Exams Were Postponed, Now Fully Cancelled

Initially, ICSE and ISC board exams in the UAE were only postponed from March 2 to April 6 for all centres. However, after reassessing the situation, the council decided to cancel the exams completely instead of rescheduling them.

This means that ICSE and ISC students in the UAE won't be appearing for any physical board examination this year. The council has moved from postponement to full cancellation, indicating that the security concerns in the region are serious and unlikely to be resolved in the near future.

CISCE's Discussion With UAE Authorities

As per media reports, CISCE sent a circular to all affiliated schools in the UAE explaining the reason behind the cancellation. The council stated that the decision was taken after detailed discussions with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.

Both authorities were consulted to evaluate the ground situation and ensure that no risks are taken with the safety of students and school staff. Based on these discussions, CISCE concluded that conducting exams in the current environment wouldn't be safe or feasible.

How Will Students Be Evaluated? Alternative Assessment Expected

Since the exams have been cancelled and not just postponed, CISCE is expected to adopt an alternative evaluation method to declare results for affected students. Although the council hasn't officially announced the assessment process yet, experts believe CISCE may follow a method similar to the one used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The possible alternative evaluation methods may include internal school assessments conducted throughout the year, pre-board examination marks scored by students, and overall academic performance during the academic session 2025-26.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, CISCE had used a formula-based approach combining internal marks, project scores, and pre-board results to calculate final scores. A similar approach is expected this time as well. However, an official announcement from CISCE is still awaited.