A QR code on the Class 12 Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) mathematics question paper has been found to redirect to a YouTube video of English singer Rick Astley's 1987 hit song 'Never Gonna Give You Up', causing confusion and discussion on social media about the integrity of the security feature.
The images of the question paper began circulating on X, Instagram, and Reddit after the Class 12 mathematics examination on Monday.
The CBSE began printing QR codes on question papers in 2019, a year after the Class 12 economics and the Class 10 mathematics papers were leaked on social media and messaging platforms.
Each QR code on a question paper typically acts as a digital identifier, embedding information such as the subject, exam date, question paper set, and printing batch.
The identifiers help authorities track the distribution chain of question papers and trace the source in case of a leak.
However, the CBSE has not immediately responded to queries on the viral claims.
A mathematics teacher from a private school in Ghaziabad said there is no use of a QR code for students and that the CBSE should be more careful in designing question papers and ensuring proper QR codes to avoid embarrassment.
