MUSCAT : The students are challenging the special assessment scheme adopted after board examinations in the region were disrupted by geopolitical tensions.

A Bench comprising Justices K.V. Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe issued notices on the petition, which was filed by 30 students studying in CBSE-affiliated schools across Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.

The students have questioned the assessment methodology adopted by the CBSE for the 2025-26 academic session after board examinations in the Gulf and West Asia were cancelled. They contend that the alternative evaluation process resulted in lower scores than they were likely to have achieved through the regular examinations.

The petition seeks a range of relief measures, including compensatory grace marks, fresh board examinations, special improvement exams in all subjects and a ‘better-of-two’ provision allowing students to retain the higher of two scores.

It also calls for a transparent review and grievance redressal mechanism for students assessed under the CBSE’s special evaluation policy.

Beyond examination-related relief, the students have requested temporary relaxation of admission requirements for higher education. The plea asks for the minimum aggregate requirement under the Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) scheme to be reduced from 75 per cent to 60 per cent for the 2026-27 academic year, with similar concessions sought for the Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries (CIWG) admission category.

The petition further urges educational institutions and counselling authorities to permit provisional admissions where necessary and to provide a special counselling window after revised results are announced, ensuring that affected students do not lose an academic year.

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