Dubai: Students in the UAE and six other West Asian countries who registered for the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) special Class 12 examinations will sit their papers from October 23 to 28, 2026. The board has released the subject-wise timetable, and eligible candidates can download their admit cards using the login details submitted during registration.
The special examination window gives eligible students another opportunity to take papers that could not be held during the regular March–April examination period because of the regional conflict. The arrangement also allows candidates who received marks through CBSE’s alternative assessment scheme to seek fresh examination results in the subjects covered by the special schedule.
According to the timetable reported on October 13, the examinations will take place across six days, with a break on Sunday, October 25. Students should check the date and subject listed on their admit cards before making arrangements to travel to their examination centres.
CBSE special exam timetable: October 23–28
The examination schedule covers academic and skill-based subjects. The published timetable lists the following papers:
- Friday, October 23: Political Science, Economics, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
- Saturday, October 24: Psychology and Business Studies, alongside Physical Activity Trainer.
- Sunday, October 25: No examination listed.
- Monday, October 26: Biology, Information Technology, Marketing and Multimedia, alongside Artificial Intelligence.
- Tuesday, October 27: Home Science, Informatics Practices and Computer Science.
- Wednesday, October 28: English Core.
The reported timetable gives most papers a duration of three hours, from 10.30am to 1.30pm. Physical Activity Trainer and Artificial Intelligence are listed as two-hour examinations, scheduled from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Candidates should rely on their own admit cards and the official CBSE date sheet to confirm their paper, reporting requirements and examination-centre details. Students should not assume that every subject listed above applies to them.
Who is eligible for the special examinations?
The special examinations concern eligible Class 12 candidates in the UAE, Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
CBSE cancelled the affected Class 12 papers in these countries earlier in 2026 after reviewing conditions in the region. The disruption covered 40 subjects, including 20 academic subjects and 20 skill-based subjects.
The board subsequently introduced an assessment scheme to declare results for affected candidates. The special examinations provide an opportunity for eligible students who want to improve on the marks awarded under that arrangement to sit the relevant papers in person.
The opportunity is not an unrestricted second examination sitting for all CBSE Class 12 students. Eligibility depends on the board’s special-examination arrangements and the candidate’s registration.
Admit cards and examination centres
CBSE has made admit cards available for download from October 12, according to the published announcement. Candidates should use the same login details they used when applying for the special examinations.
Before examination day, students should verify their name, subject, examination date and centre details. Any discrepancy should be raised through the appropriate school or CBSE contact channel rather than left until the day of the paper.
The reported arrangements provide for one examination centre in each of the seven participating countries, based on the candidates included in the List of Candidates submitted for the special examinations. Students should therefore check their individual admit cards instead of relying on information circulated informally through social media or messaging groups.
What happens to the marks?
The marks obtained in the special examinations will replace the marks previously awarded under the special assessment scheme, according to the published examination announcement.
That makes it important for registered candidates to understand the consequences of appearing for the examination and to follow the instructions issued by CBSE. Students should consult the board’s official notices for the applicable rules rather than rely on assumptions about how their final results will be calculated.
For families in the UAE, the immediate priority is to confirm the correct paper date, download the admit card and plan transport to the designated centre. The complete date sheet and any further instructions should be checked through the official CBSE website at cbse.gov.in.
Q1. When will the CBSE Class 12 special exams begin in 2026?
The special examinations are scheduled to begin on October 23, 2026, and conclude on October 28, 2026.
Q2. Which countries are covered by the special examinations?
The examinations cover eligible candidates in the UAE, Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Q3. Why has CBSE arranged these examinations?
The examinations provide an opportunity for eligible students affected by the earlier cancellation of Class 12 papers to sit the relevant subjects in person, following the alternative assessment scheme.
Q4. When were CBSE special exam admit cards made available?
Admit cards became available from October 12, 2026, according to the published announcement. Candidates should use their original application login details.
Q5. Which subjects are included in the timetable?
The published schedule includes Political Science, Economics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Psychology, Business Studies, Biology, Computer Science, English Core and several other academic and skill-based subjects.
Q6. What happens to marks obtained in the special examinations?
According to the published announcement, marks from the special examinations replace the marks awarded under the special assessment scheme. Candidates should consult the applicable CBSE instructions for their individual circumstances.
Q7. Where can students check the official CBSE examination schedule?
Students can visit the official CBSE website at cbse.gov.in and look for the relevant Class XII special-examination notice and date sheet.
Q8. Are the special examinations open to every Class 12 student?
No. They are intended for eligible candidates covered by the special arrangements for affected West Asian countries. Students should verify their eligibility and registered subjects through their application details and CBSE instructions.
