QR codes on question papers not web links: CBSE after controversy over viral search results

Advisory comes in the wake of recent incidents where QR codes in CBSE exams went viral on social media for reasons unrelated to the examination.

PTI, Apr 03, 2026, New Delhi : The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued an advisory clarifying the purpose of QR codes printed on question papers, saying they are not web links, according to officials.

The advisory comes in the wake of recent incidents where QR codes in CBSE exams went viral on social media for reasons unrelated to the examination.

"The QR codes printed on CBSE question papers are not intended to function as direct internet hyperlinks. These codes are part of internal systems for authentication, tracking, and examination integrity, and do not open as web links when scanned. Rather, they show the intended text," said CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj.

"However, if the user opts to use Google search on the text, Google search suggests certain other words. This doesn't occur if standard browsers such as Chrome are used," he added.

The board further emphasised that any unrelated web results are algorithm-driven outputs and bear no connection to the CBSE or its examination processes.

"...some individuals are deliberately misrepresenting these search results to spread false propaganda. The linking of QR codes to unrelated individuals or content is factually incorrect and misleading," Bhardwaj said.

During the class 12 history exam held on March 30, students reported that scanning a QR code on the question paper led to search results related to influencer Orhan Awatramani, popularly known as Orry.

The QR code in the CBSE's March 9 class 12 mathematics exam led to the 'Rickroll' prank -- a popular music video for Rick Astley's 1987 hit, "Never Gonna Give You Up".