For many Indian families in the UAE, May is usually filled with university applications, anxious conversations at home, and endless refreshing of result pages. This year has been no different — except that thousands of CBSE Class 12 students were left confused after seeing scores that felt unexpectedly low.
Now, India’s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a relief measure that is getting attention from students and parents across Dubai and the wider UAE. The board confirmed that students whose marks increase after re-evaluation will receive a full refund of the re-evaluation fee.
The announcement follows days of online discussions and complaints from students questioning this year’s evaluation process, particularly the newly introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.
For Indian expat families in the UAE, where CBSE schools are part of everyday life in communities from Al Nahda to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, the update has quickly become one of the most talked-about education stories this week.
Also read: UAE Makes AI a Mandatory School Subject – Social Kandura
Confusion grows after CBSE Class 12 results
Soon after the Class 12 results were announced, social media platforms were flooded with reactions from students who felt their scores did not match their performance in exams.
Some students claimed they were expecting much higher marks. Others said subjects they were usually strong in showed unusually low scores. As discussions spread online, attention turned toward CBSE’s new digital evaluation process.
This year, the board introduced the On-Screen Marking system for Class 12 examinations. Instead of checking physical answer sheets traditionally, examiners evaluated scanned copies digitally on-screen.
CBSE defended the move, saying the system improves transparency, accountability and reduces human errors during checking. But many students still believe the sudden shift may have affected the marking process.
In the UAE, parents were closely following every update. Outside several Indian curriculum schools in Dubai last week, conversations among families were almost entirely about cut-offs, rechecking procedures and university deadlines.
For students aiming for medicine, engineering or scholarship-based admissions, even a slight increase in marks can completely change opportunities.
Also read: CBSE Exams to Be Conducted Twice Annually in UAE Starting 2024 – Social Kandura
The new rule could help worried students
CBSE has now said that students who apply for re-evaluation and later receive increased marks will get a full refund of the re-evaluation charges.
The board described the decision as a student-friendly measure aimed at supporting students during the post-result process.
Alongside this, CBSE has also reduced the fees for:
- Scanned copies of answer sheets
- Verification of marks
- Re-evaluation applications
For many parents, especially those with multiple children studying in CBSE schools, the reduced fees are being seen as a practical relief.
In Dubai, where private school education already comes with significant yearly expenses, every additional academic cost matters. Families often spend heavily on tuition classes, coaching centres and exam preparation programmes throughout the year.
That is why the refund policy is being welcomed positively by many Indian expatriate households.
The new OSM system is still under scrutiny
Although CBSE continues to support the On-Screen Marking system, students remain divided over whether the transition was smooth enough.
According to the board, digital evaluation helps eliminate issues linked to manual checking and creates a more standardised marking process. The system is also expected to improve consistency between examiners.
But students online continue to share mixed experiences.
Some believe the marking was stricter this year. Others feel evaluators may not have interpreted long descriptive answers properly through digital screens. There are also concerns from students who say internal expectations set by schools did not align with final scores.
Education experts say such reactions are common whenever major changes are introduced in national examination systems. Digital assessment methods are already being used globally, but adapting to new systems can take time for both examiners and students.
Still, the pressure surrounding Class 12 results in Indian households makes every mark feel important.
And in the UAE, that pressure is often even more visible.
At cafés in Karama, study centres in Bur Dubai, and family homes across Sharjah, board exam season becomes part of daily conversation. Parents compare university requirements, students discuss percentage cut-offs, and WhatsApp groups stay active late into the night.
For many students here, these results are not just numbers on a screen. They shape future plans, countries of study, and in some cases, scholarship opportunities.
The step-by-step process students should follow
CBSE has advised students to first obtain scanned copies of their answer sheets before applying for re-evaluation.
This allows students to carefully review how marks were awarded and identify possible discrepancies. After reviewing the answer script, students can proceed with verification or rechecking requests if needed.
Education counsellors say this step is important because it helps students make informed decisions instead of applying for re-evaluation blindly.
With university admission deadlines approaching quickly, especially for students applying abroad, many families are expected to move fast with the process.
The announcement matters to many families in Dubai
The UAE is home to one of the largest Indian student populations studying under the CBSE curriculum outside India. From Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Indian schools consistently produce students applying to top universities in the Emirates, India, the UK, Canada and beyond.
As competition rises every year, even a difference of two or three marks can impact admissions into preferred courses.
That is why CBSE’s latest decision carries weight far beyond India itself.
For many UAE students, the refund announcement feels less like a policy update and more like reassurance during an already stressful season.
CBSE’s decision to refund re-evaluation fees for students whose marks improve is being seen as a positive step after widespread concerns over this year’s Class 12 results.
While discussions around the new digital marking system continue, the move offers students a fairer and more transparent option to challenge their scores without additional financial pressure.
For thousands of Indian expat families in the UAE, it is a small but important relief at a time when every mark can shape the next chapter of a student’s future.
Follow Social Kandura for more updates on local news and things to do in Dubai and across the UAE.
Read More
