New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a special marking formula for students in West Asia who were unable to appear for all board exams in 2026 due to disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran conflict.

The move comes after several examination centres across the region were impacted, leaving thousands of students unable to complete their papers. 

The board has, however, assured that results for both Class 10 and Class 12 will be declared on time, with a structured assessment plan already finalised for Class 10.

Why CBSE introduced the special formula

CBSE said the standard evaluation process would not be fair in the current situation, as many students missed exams due to factors beyond their control, including safety concerns and travel disruptions.

Instead of conducting re-exams or delaying results, the board opted for a flexible and data-driven assessment method to ensure that students are not academically disadvantaged.

How CBSE will evaluate Class 10 students

CBSE has laid down a clear formula based on the number of exams a student appeared for:

Appeared in all exams
Students will be evaluated based on their actual marks obtained in each subject

Appeared in 4 exams:

Marks for the remaining subject(s) will be calculated using the average of the best 3 subjects

Appeared in 3 exams:

Final scores will be derived using the average of the best 2 performing subjects 

Appeared in 2 exams:

Marks for the remaining subjects will be awarded based on the average of those 2 subjects

This formula ensures that students’ strongest performances are used to compensate for missed papers.

Also read: CBSE Class 10 Maths Paper 2026: Students flag high difficulty level; Re-exam demand surfaces 

What about Class 12 students

CBSE officials have said that the assessment framework for Class 12 is still under review.

The delay is due to the complexity involved, including:

  1. Multiple subject combinations across streams
  2. Different levels of exam completion among students
  3. The need to ensure parity across Science, Commerce and Humanities

A final decision is expected soon.

Key takeaways for students

  • CBSE results for 2026 will be declared on time
  • Students will not be penalised for missing exams
  • The formula is designed to ensure fairness and consistency
  • Further guidelines for Class 12 and compartment candidates will be announced shortly

The bigger picture: 

CBSE’s latest move reflects a continuation of its flexible evaluation approach seen during past disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

By prioritising fairness and student welfare, the board aims to ensure that academic progression is not hindered by global events beyond students’ control.