CBSE Class 12 maths paper QR code allegedly leads to ‘Rickroll’, triggers social media buzz

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 Mathematics examination created a stir on social media after users claimed that a QR code printed on the question paper redirected to a music video when scanned. The Mathematics and Applied Mathematics exam was conducted from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm on Monday as part of the ongoing board examinations.

Images of the question paper circulated widely online, with several users encouraging others to scan the QR code placed on the top left corner of the sheet. According to posts shared on social platforms, the code led to the 1987 song Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley, a video famously associated with the long-running internet prank known as the “Rickroll”.

CBSE introduced QR codes on question papers in 2018 as a security feature to help prevent leaks and verify authenticity. However, the alleged redirection quickly became a talking point online, with a video circulating that shows a student scanning the code and the music video appearing on the device screen.

The education board has not yet issued an official statement confirming whether the QR code indeed links to the viral video or explaining the situation. The CBSE Class 12 board examinations began on February 17 and are scheduled to conclude on April 10 with the Legal Studies paper.