Indian expatriate students and parents in the UAE have questioned the timing of the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) decision to offer fresh examinations for Class 12 papers cancelled in March. While schools have welcomed the opportunity, families say the announcement has come after many students have already joined universities and moved ahead with their academic plans.
The examinations were cancelled when regional tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran disrupted the scheduled papers. CBSE subsequently determined students’ results through an alternative assessment system involving internal marks. However, some candidates expressed dissatisfaction with their scores and questioned how the assessment affected their final results.
Students Say the Decision Came Too Late
A Dubai student who joined an artificial intelligence and data science programme in India said the timing had caught many students off guard.
“It is too late now. The students have moved on to the next phase. If this announcement had come in May or June, it would have been helpful,” the student said.
Another student, who is studying biotechnology at a university in Dubai, said the announcement no longer suited her circumstances. She explained that students had already given away their schoolbooks after believing there would be no changes to their marks before university admissions.
“Nobody expected this decision to come so late,” she said, describing the development as delayed justice.
Parents Raise Concerns Over University Commitments
Parents have also questioned how students can balance the re-examination process with their existing educational commitments.
Dubai resident Raffi, whose daughter has joined university, said families appreciated the opportunity but remained concerned about its timing. He explained that many students had already entered a new stage of their academic lives and were adapting to university coursework.
Revisiting the Class 12 syllabus while managing university studies, he said, was not a simple request.
Hajra, whose son has also started university, said the option could create uncertainty even though students were not required to take the examination. She noted that an earlier announcement would have allowed families to consider the possibility while making university admission decisions.
Another practical concern involves examination centres. CBSE has said the re-examinations will be held at the centres where students originally registered. Students who have moved abroad for higher studies may therefore need to travel back to the UAE to sit for their papers.
Schools Welcome the Fresh Opportunity
School leaders have welcomed CBSE’s decision, recognising that it could help students who believe they might have achieved higher marks in a conventional examination.
Dr Pramad Mahajan of Sharjah Indian School said CBSE had traditionally followed a student friendly approach. He acknowledged that students could be dissatisfied with internal assessment marks, particularly because schools may apply strict standards when evaluating students in Classes 10 and 12.
Mahajan said the decision would benefit candidates who were unhappy with marks received in subjects affected by the cancelled examinations.
Mohammed Ali Kottakulam, principal of Cosmopolitan International High School in Ajman, said the opportunity could be particularly useful for students who felt they would have performed better in an actual examination than under the alternative assessment system.
He pointed out that students taking a gap year or waiting for admission to another institution might have greater flexibility to reappear. However, he added that several practical details still required clarification.
Refresher Classes to Support Students
The Indian High Group of Schools has said it will prepare refresher classes for students who decide to take the examinations again.
Punit MK Vasu, chief executive officer of the group, acknowledged that students would need support after a gap of more than six months. Refresher classes are intended to help learners rebuild their confidence, prepare adequately and improve their subject readiness.
The school group is also engaging with parents and students to help them understand the implications of the decision and consider their options.
Dr S. Reshma, principal and director of Gulf Indian High School in Dubai, said schools were ready to support affected students but required clear instructions from CBSE. She highlighted the need for timely confirmation regarding examination centres, subjects, eligibility requirements and schedules.
Schools have indicated that coordination between CBSE and educational institutions will be necessary to organise the examinations without disrupting regular academic activities.
Registration and Eligibility Details
Registration for the special examinations will open on September 22 and close on September 26, 2026. CBSE has stated that no extension is expected, and students will not be charged a fee for the retake.
Candidates cannot change their subjects after submitting their registration forms. Students who were absent from the original March examinations, along with those who had not registered for this year’s main examinations, are not eligible.
The examination dates and detailed timetable will be announced after registrations close. Until then, students, parents and schools must consider their options while waiting for further information.
For families across the UAE, the decision provides an additional opportunity to revisit Class 12 results. However, its timing, examination centre requirements and the demands of university education remain important concerns for students who have already moved forward.