CBSE Class 12 Math paper: QR code sends users to ‘rickroll’ prank video

Social media was abuzz after the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) QR code for verification on the Class 12 Mathematics question paper went viral. When scanned, the QR code directed users to the music video for ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ by British singer Rick Astley — an internet prank popularly known as ‘rickrolling’.

In a viral video shared on Instagram, a user demonstrates how scanning the QR code on the question paper leads to the prank video. The CBSE Class 12 Mathematics exam was held on Monday (March 9, 2026).

Taking note of the incident, the CBSE said, “Many security features are provided on the question papers. These include QR codes to verify the genuineness of the question paper in case of suspected security breach. In a few question paper sets, it appears that when one of the given QR codes is scanned, it links to a YouTube video.”

Question papers genuine: CBSE

Noting the concerns raised over the issue, the CBSE reassured the public that the question papers are genuine and that their security remains uncompromised. “The matter has been viewed seriously and necessary steps are being taken by the Board to ensure that such issues are not repeated in the future,” it added.

Teachers in Chennai, meanwhile, noted that the QR code appeared on all sets of the question paper. They also pointed out that it seems to have appeared only on the Mathematics question paper so far, and not on other examination papers.

Comments under the music video pointed to how the CBSE question paper had led viewers to it. Social media was flooded with posts and videos about the QR code on the CBSE question paper, with many students expressing shock at the absurdity of the situation. In a post on X, a user questioned the competence of the CBSE, asking how the QR code was not verified before the question papers were printed.