The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has reassured students and parents that the Class 12 Mathematics board exam papers are authentic and secure. This statement comes after online speculation about a QR code printed on some of the question papers in the Math exam conducted. Several social media users claimed that while scanning a QR code on the Math exam paper led to Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” on YouTube, a well-known online prank known as “rickrolling.” The board acknowledged that in a few question paper sets, scanning a QR code appeared to link to a YouTube video. However, CBSE also stated that this issue does not compromise the security and authenticity of the question papers. “It is hereby confirmed by the board that the question papers are genuine. The security of the question papers remains uncompromised,” the board stated in a press release. After the Class 12 Mathematics exam was conducted, screenshots of the question paper appeared online, with students claiming that scanning the QR code redirected them to a music video. These allegations quickly spread on social media platforms including Reddit, where students posted screenshots and made jokes about encountering the unexpected link during a crucial exam. However, some students also reported that the QR code at their exam centres only displayed simple alphabet markers like “A” and “Q,” without linking to any external content. Thereafter, the discrepancy led to confusion over whether the viral screenshots were isolated incidents, a technical glitch, or a deceptive image circulating online.
