The board said the system of marking/assessment "will be worked out shortly" and informed to the schools concerned.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will not conduct any pending examinations for affiliated schools outside India. The board had earlier postponed all the board examinations that were to be held between March 19 and March 31 this year.

The Indian Consulate in Dubai tweeted on Wednesday: "CBSE has decided not to conduct remaining examinations for grade X and XII in overseas schools.

There are several CBSE schools located in 25 countries.

According to the CBSE, these countries are also under lockdown to contain the spread the deadly COVID-19, due to which it will not be in a position to hold differential set of exams for each.

The board said the system of marking/assessment "will be worked out shortly" and informed to the schools concerned.

With regards to students in India, the CBSE statement said that in view of the prevailing extraordinary circumstances of the worldwide spread of COVID-19 and the countrywide lockdown, the board exams of Class 10, 12, will be rescheduled and stated that the board will announce dates after consultations.

A fresh statement issued by CBSE said: "It is informed that any decision that the board will take with regard to the conduct of examinations will be taken by undertaking extensive consultation with higher education authorities and by keeping all aspects related to entrance exams, admissions dates, etc. in mind."

The Board said it will give notice of about 10 days to all stakeholders before starting the Board examinations of all CBSE class 10 and 12 students.

The statement also said all students from Class 1-8 will be promoted, while students of class 9 and 11 whether in India or abroad, who have not completed the exams, will be given marks based on internal assessment.

The board stated that it will conduct examinations for only main subjects that will be required for promotion and maybe crucial for admissions in higher educational institutions.

"For the rest of the subjects, it said it would not hold examinations; the instructions for marking/assessment in all such cases shall be separately issued by the Board," the CBSE said.

To avoid being misled by rumours, the Board urged all stakeholders to "only trust the official announcements by the Board that are made on the Board's website.

saman@khaleejtimes.com