New Delhi

The Supreme Court of India was informed on Friday that the Centre is considering introducing a policy to accommodate private students in West Asia whose Central Board of Secondary Education examination results could not be declared due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

A partial working-day bench comprising Justices Augustine George Masih and Vijay Bishnoi was hearing a plea filed by an overseas student seeking declaration of his Class 12 improvement examination result.

Centre considering broader policy

Appearing for the Union government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the issue extends beyond a single petitioner.

"This is a wider issue, the government is considering laying down some policy for similarly situated students," Mehta submitted.

Taking note of the Centre's stand, the bench deferred the matter to June 22.

Student challenges non-declaration of result

The petition was filed by Pranshu Jigarkumar Patel, an overseas student from Saudi Arabia, who sought directions to CBSE to declare his Class 12 improvement examination result.

Patel argued that despite CBSE framing a special assessment scheme for students whose examinations were disrupted in Gulf countries due to the prevailing security situation, his result had not been declared.

While CBSE announced Class 12 results on May 13, Patel's status was reportedly marked as "RL" (Result Later).

Plea highlights uncertainty for private candidates

The petition contended that CBSE failed to clarify whether private candidates appearing for improvement examinations would also be covered under the special assessment mechanism.

According to the plea:

• Patel appeared as a private candidate from Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
• He took improvement examinations in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and Computer Science.
• His repeated representations to CBSE on May 17, May 21, and May 30 allegedly received no response.

The petitioner argued that the non-declaration of his result had adversely affected his prospects for higher education and admission opportunities.

Earlier High Court proceedings

Patel had earlier approached the Delhi High Court, which declined to entertain the plea.

Background: Gulf examinations cancelled

CBSE had cancelled Class 12 board examinations in seven West Asian countries due to escalating regional tensions linked to the Iran-Israel conflict.

The affected countries were:

• Bahrain
• Iran
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

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The Centre's proposed policy, if finalised, could provide relief to a larger group of students facing uncertainty over their academic futures due to circumstances beyond their control.