ICSE, ISC Board Exams 2026 Cancelled in UAE Due to Security Situation
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has cancelled ICSE and ISC Board Exams 2026 in the United Arab Emirates due to security concerns. Students will be evaluated through an alternative assessment method based on internal marks, and results will be announced later.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has cancelled the ICSE Class 10 and ISC Class 12 board examinations 2026 at all centres in the United Arab Emirates due to the current security situation in the region. The decision was taken as a precautionary step to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and examination staff.
The announcement has affected thousands of Indian students studying in CISCE-affiliated schools across cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Many Indian expatriate families in the UAE follow the ICSE and ISC curriculum, making the decision a significant development for the academic community.
ICSE and ISC Exams Cancelled in the UAE
According to CISCE, the board carefully reviewed the situation before deciding to cancel the examinations. The exams were originally scheduled to take place in March and April 2026 across various exam centres in the UAE.
However, due to the evolving security environment and travel-related concerns in parts of the Middle East, the board decided that conducting the exams could create logistical and safety challenges. As a result, the remaining ICSE and ISC board exams for 2026 in the UAE will not be held.
The board clarified that the cancellation applies only to exam centres located in the UAE. Examinations in other countries and in India are continuing as per the original schedule.
Earlier Disruptions and Postponements
Before the final decision to cancel the exams, several ICSE and ISC papers in the UAE had already faced disruptions. Some examinations scheduled in early March were postponed as authorities monitored the situation.
The board continued to review security advisories and consult with local authorities and school administrations. After assessing the risks, CISCE decided that cancelling the examinations was the safest option for students.
School administrators across the UAE were informed about the decision and have communicated the update to students and parents.
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Alternative Assessment for Students
Since the ICSE and ISC board exams will not be conducted in the UAE this year, CISCE will introduce an alternative assessment method to evaluate students.
Although the board has not yet released the complete evaluation formula, it is expected that student performance will be assessed using multiple academic indicators. These may include:
- Internal school assessments
- Pre-board examination marks
- Practical exam scores
- Overall academic performance during the academic year
This approach is intended to ensure that students do not lose an academic year due to the cancellation of exams.
Results Likely to Follow Regular Timeline
CISCE is expected to release detailed guidelines about the evaluation process soon. Students in the UAE will likely receive their results along with the rest of the ICSE and ISC candidates.
Once the results are announced, students will be able to check their marks through the official CISCE result portal.
Education experts say that the board is likely to ensure that the evaluation process remains fair and transparent so that students’ future academic opportunities are not affected.
Option for Improvement Exams
Students who are not satisfied with the marks awarded through the alternative assessment process may be given the opportunity to appear for improvement examinations later in 2026.
Such exams would allow candidates to improve their scores for higher education admissions if required. The board is expected to release official details about these options in the coming weeks.
Schools Ask Students to Stay Calm
Following the announcement, several Indian schools in the UAE have advised students and parents not to panic. Schools have assured families that the board will adopt a fair system for evaluating academic performance.
Counsellors and teachers are also providing guidance to students, especially those in Class 12, as their results are important for university admissions.
Conclusion
The cancellation of the ICSE and ISC Board Exams 2026 in the UAE is an unusual but precautionary decision taken due to the current security situation. While the development has created uncertainty for students, the board has assured that a proper evaluation system will be implemented.
Students are advised to stay connected with their schools and regularly check updates from the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations for further announcements regarding assessment guidelines and result dates.
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