In Shorts
- A QR code on the CBSE Class 12 Maths exam paper reportedly opened a popular music video online.
- The incident went viral on social media and sparked questions about exam security.
- CBSE confirmed the question paper was genuine and said the exam’s integrity was not affected.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified that the Class 12 Mathematics board examination question paper is authentic, following confusion over a QR code that reportedly redirected users to a music video online.
The unusual incident surfaced after the Class 12 Mathematics exam held on March 9, when students shared images and videos on social media showing that scanning a QR code printed on the question paper led to a clip of the popular song “Never Gonna Give You Up” by British singer Rick Astley. The unexpected redirect quickly went viral, with many users joking that students had been “rickrolled” during a board exam.
The term “rickrolling” refers to a long-running internet prank in which users are tricked into opening the music video instead of the intended content. As screenshots and videos circulated online, questions were raised about whether the examination paper had been tampered with or if the QR code indicated a security breach.
Responding to the speculation, CBSE confirmed that the question papers used in the examination were genuine and that the security of the exam process had not been compromised. The board explained that QR codes are embedded in question papers as part of multiple security features used to verify authenticity and track exam material.
According to officials, only a few question paper sets appeared to contain the QR code that redirected to the external video link. The board stated that it has taken the issue seriously and is examining how the link appeared on the printed papers. Necessary steps are also being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
CBSE introduced QR codes on exam papers in recent years to strengthen security measures and help authorities trace the source of any potential leaks or distribution issues. These digital identifiers typically contain encoded details such as the subject, exam date, and printing batch to maintain the integrity of the examination system.
While the incident sparked amusement and memes online, the board has reassured students and parents that the validity of the Class 12 Mathematics exam remains unaffected and that the question paper used in the exam is legitimate.
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