From Orry To Rick Astley, CBSE Clarifies Board Exam QR Code Claims Are ‘Misleading’

Last Updated:April 03, 2026, 07:50 IST

CBSE refutes misleading claims about QR codes on board exam papers. The codes are only for internal authentication purposes and are not designed to open web links, it clarified.

The CBSE has assured that the exam’s integrity was not compromised. (Image: X)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a warning about the QR codes printed on its board examination question papers. The board noted that some online claims suggest these QR codes link directly to internet pages, but clarified that this is completely false. It explained that the codes are used solely for internal authentication and are not designed to open web links. Any online claims to the contrary are factually incorrect and unrelated to CBSE’s examination processes.

How Does The QR Codes Work?

CBSE stated the QR codes are embedded as part of the board’s internal systems for authentication, tracking, and maintaining the integrity of examinations. When scanned, they do not behave like typical web-linked QR codes; instead, they simply display the text they contain.

Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations at CBSE, noted in an official clarification that while scanning the code may show text, problems arise when users choose to run that text through Google search. In such cases, Google may generate unrelated search results based on certain words in the text. This issue, he pointed out, does not occur when standard browsers like Chrome are used to interpret the information.

The board explained that when people try to interpret the QR-related strings on their own or manually search them online, search engines may produce results that include references to various individuals or entities. These outcomes are purely algorithm-driven and have no association with the board or its examination system, CBSE emphasised.

“Stakeholders are requested to note that these QR codes are meant for internal authentication and not for accessing internet links. Any misleading claims circulating online are factually incorrect and unrelated to CBSE examination processes,” reads the official statement.

The clarification followed claims by influencer Orhan Awatramani, popularly known as Orry, who stated in an Instagram reel that students scanning the QR code on the front page of the Class 12 History question paper, held on March 30, were redirected to an information page about him as an influencer. His assertion quickly drew public attention, sparking speculation and confusion among students and social media users. Earlier, some students had alleged that the QR code on the Class 12 Maths question paper redirected them to the YouTube page of Rick Astley’s song “Never Gonna Give You Up.”

In its advisory, the board urged students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to behave responsibly. It asked them not to share unverified claims or engage in speculative interpretations of technical features such as QR codes. Instead, CBSE encouraged everyone to rely on official communications from the board before circulating any information, and to be cautious of content that might undermine the credibility of institutions through distortion or sensationalism.

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