The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed Class X and Class XII exams originally set for Monday (March 2), across key Middle East centers including Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Citing the "current situation" sparked by US-Israel strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory missile exchanges, the board prioritizes student safety amid closed airspaces, explosions and military alerts.
Affected students and exam centers
Tens of thousands of Indian expatriate students, many children of Gulf workers, face disruptions at dozens of international schools from Dubai to Doha. These exams, critical for college admissions, now hang in limbo as families shelter amid blackouts and travel bans, with some regions declaring emergencies.
War disrupts academic lifelines
The move follows Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's confirmed death, IRGC threats of massive offensives, and Trump's warnings of unprecedented US retaliation, sending oil prices soaring and economies reeling. Gulf hosts, home to 18 million Indians, assured New Delhi of community protection, but escalating blasts in Qatar, UAE and beyond forced CBSE's hand.
Next steps and rescheduling ahead
CBSE promised swift revised dates via official channels, urging calm while advising students to monitor updates. Schools will communicate locally, with remote learning as a stopgap.
High alert as missiles rain from Iran
Israel braced for impact Sunday as Iran unleashed a barrage of ballistic missiles, igniting air raid sirens across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and beyond. Phone alerts blared seconds before wails pierced the air, ordering millions into shelters amid the 20th wave of attacks in 24 hours, per IDF statements.
IDF confirms launches, nationwide emergency declared
The Israel Defense Forces verified Iranian missiles arcing toward central and southern regions, activating full civil defense protocols. Residents rushed to bunkers, heeding orders to stay put near safe zones as interceptors raced skyward against drones and rockets.
Retaliation follows US-Israel Tehran devastation
Tehran's "crushing response" avenged Saturday's joint strikes—Israel's largest ever, with 200 jets dropping 1,200 munitions on 500 Iranian nuclear, missile, and IRGC targets. Press TV aired smoke over Tel Aviv's General Staff HQ from Iranian salvos.
Casualties mount despite Iron dome success
Magen David Adom reported over 20 injuries in Tel Aviv from earlier volleys—one critically—though no residential hits or fatalities emerged from recent barrages. Debris littered sites, but defenses held firm against the onslaught.