CBSE Issues Urgent Clarification on Forged Exam Circular for Middle East Students
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken decisive action to counter misinformation by issuing an official clarification regarding a forged circular that falsely claimed the Class XII English examination for students in Middle East centres would be conducted on March 12, 2026. In a post shared from its verified official account on the morning of the scheduled exam date, the board categorically stated that the notice circulating online is completely fake and misleading, creating unnecessary confusion among the student community.
Fake Document Creates Widespread Confusion Across Gulf Region
The misinformation specifically targeted students appearing from CBSE-affiliated schools across multiple countries in the Gulf region, including Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The forged circular was being widely circulated across various social media platforms, falsely asserting that the Class 12 English exam for Middle East students would proceed as originally scheduled on March 12, 2026.
The board emphasized that this document was not sent by CBSE and advised all students, parents, and school authorities to refer only to the official notifications issued directly by the board. The timing of the clarification, released on the morning of the day the exam was supposedly to be conducted, highlights the board's serious concern about the spread of misinformation during the critical period of ongoing board examinations.
Exam Officially Rescheduled Due to Regional Safety Concerns
CBSE had previously announced that the Class 12 English examination for Middle East centres would be conducted on March 16, 2026, following a board decision to postpone the test due to legitimate safety concerns arising from the regional conflict situation. The revised schedule applies uniformly to all students appearing from CBSE schools across the affected countries in the Gulf region.
The board had communicated this important schedule change through multiple official channels, including formal notifications issued earlier and subsequent updates through verified platforms. The postponement reflects CBSE's commitment to student safety and examination integrity amidst challenging regional circumstances.
CBSE Strengthens Official Communication Channels
In response to the confusion triggered by the fake circular, CBSE has reinforced its advisory to all examination candidates, urging them to verify all examination-related information exclusively through official CBSE platforms. These include:
- The board's official website with verified updates
- Authenticated social media handles bearing official verification marks
- Direct communications from CBSE to affiliated schools
- Formal notifications published through established channels
The board has reiterated with emphasis that the Class 12 English exam for Middle East centres will now be held on March 16, 2026, and students should prepare according to this revised schedule. This clarification aims to eliminate any remaining uncertainty and ensure all candidates can focus on their preparation without unnecessary distractions.
CBSE's proactive response demonstrates the board's vigilance in protecting students from misinformation and maintaining the integrity of the examination process, even when external circumstances create additional challenges for administration and communication across international borders.
