Supreme Court Told Centre Considering Policy for CBSE Private Students in West Asia Affected by Exam Cancellations

June 12, 2026 : The Union Government informed the Supreme Court on Friday that it is considering framing a policy to address the concerns of private candidates in West Asian countries whose CBSE Class XII results remain pending due to the cancellation of examinations amid regional conflict and security concerns.

A Vacation Bench comprising Justice AG Masih and Justice Vijay Bishnoi was hearing a petition filed by Pransu Jigarkumar Patel, a student from Saudi Arabia, seeking directions to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to declare his Class XII Improvement Examination result. Taking note of the Centre’s submission that the issue affects a larger group of students, the Court adjourned the matter and scheduled the next hearing for Friday.

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that the matter extends beyond the petitioner’s individual grievance and involves several similarly placed private candidates whose examinations could not be conducted because of the prevailing situation in West Asia. He stated that the government is examining the issue and considering a policy framework to deal with such cases.

The petition challenges CBSE’s decision not to declare Patel’s result despite the Board introducing a special assessment scheme for students affected by examination cancellations in several Gulf countries. While CBSE announced Class XII results on May 13, 2026, Patel’s result was withheld and marked as “Result Later” (RL).

Patel argued that he was similarly situated to other students whose examinations were cancelled due to security concerns and should therefore be granted the benefit of the special assessment mechanism. He contended that CBSE failed to clarify whether private candidates appearing for improvement examinations were covered under the scheme.

The petitioner had earlier approached the Delhi High Court seeking similar relief, but the High Court declined to entertain the plea. Subsequently, on June 8, the Supreme Court issued notice to CBSE and its Regional Officer, observing that the issue directly impacts the academic future of affected students.

Patel appeared as a private candidate for the 2026 Class XII Improvement Examination from Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, after having taken the Class XII examination in 2025. He registered for improvement in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English and Computer Science. However, due to escalating hostilities in the region, CBSE cancelled several examinations scheduled in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. As a result, Patel could appear only in Physics and Chemistry, while examinations in Mathematics, English and Computer Science were cancelled.

To address the situation, CBSE issued a notification on March 27, 2026, introducing a special assessment scheme for students in affected West Asian countries. Under the framework, students with pending examinations were to be assessed based on their academic performance in quarterly, half-yearly and pre-board examinations, with the highest score among these assessments being considered.

The scheme also provided that students dissatisfied with the assessed results could be given an opportunity to appear in fresh examinations when circumstances permit. Mathematics, English Core and Computer Science were among the subjects specifically identified by CBSE as affected by the cancellations.

According to the petition, Patel studied at the International Indian School, Al Jubail, and all his academic records required for assessment under the scheme are available with the school. He argued that CBSE could easily obtain these records and declare his result accordingly.

The petitioner further submitted that the delay has adversely affected his higher education prospects. He stated that he had applied for admission to the B.Tech programme in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Dhirubhai Ambani University but could not complete the admission process because his Class XII result had not been declared. He also claimed that the delay prevented him from applying to other educational institutions.

The petition alleges that CBSE’s refusal to declare his result despite the availability of a special assessment mechanism is arbitrary, unreasonable and discriminatory, violating his rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. It further contends that students cannot be penalised for examination cancellations caused by circumstances beyond their control, including war-related disruptions and security concerns.

Patel has sought directions to CBSE to declare his result by applying the March 27 assessment scheme based on his school records. Alternatively, he has requested that special examinations be conducted in the cancelled subjects so that he can complete his Class XII assessment and pursue higher education opportunities.