The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), on April 2, 2026, issued an advisory addressing the misinterpretation of QR codes printed on its question papers. The Board clarified that these QR codes are not designed to function as internet hyperlinks but are part of internal mechanisms used for authentication, tracking, and maintaining examination integrity. When scanned, they may display encoded text, which can sometimes lead to unrelated results if manually searched online.
CBSE further highlighted that certain misleading online behaviors have been observed, where users interpret QR-generated text through search engines, leading to algorithm-driven and unrelated results. These results, including references to individuals or entities, have no connection with CBSE or its examination system. The Board emphasized that such outputs are purely incidental and should not be construed as official or meaningful links.
The advisory also cautioned against the deliberate spread of misinformation by some elements attempting to create false narratives and harm CBSE’s reputation. Students, parents, educators, and media are urged to avoid sharing unverified claims, rely only on official communications, and act responsibly to preserve the credibility and integrity of public institutions.
[Notification No. CBSE/SPPS/CE]
