New Delhi: With war clouds hovering over Iraq, CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) has made "alternative arrangements" for students residing in Gulf countries, especially Kuwait, to enable them to appear in examinations in case of possible military strike.

"In case of any eventuality , these students will be allowed to appear for exams either in India or any other country of their choice," Ashok Ganguly, Chairman of the CBSE, told reporters in New Delhi.

Pointing out that its preparations for the coming class 10th and 12th examinations are "complete", Ganguly warned of "strict action" against schools arbitrarily barring students from appearing in exams.

He said, "this year 9.27 lakh students are appearing for class 10th and class 12th exams beginning March 3, which is a six per cent increase over the previous year."

Delhi has shown decline in the number of students registered with us for which National Open School and our compartment policy is greatly responsible, he claimed.

CBSE have also made special arrangements for physically challenged students numbering 1544 this year like sitting arrangements at ground floor, answer sheets showing their "physical status" so that it can be sent directly to nodal centres specifically created for them, he said.

"Ten centres have been established for blind students and for the first time we have provided them with the facility of computers and typewriters, in addition to enlarged-print format question sheets," he said.

PTI