The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued an advisory to clear confusion and counter misleading claims regarding QR codes printed on its examination question papers.
Explaining their purpose, the board said these QR codes are part of an internal mechanism used for authentication, tracking, and ensuring the integrity of examinations. It clarified that the codes are not designed to act as clickable links and do not redirect users to any online content.
According to CBSE, scanning the QR codes only reveals specific text. However, if that text is manually searched online, search engines may display unrelated results, including references to individuals or entities that have no connection with the board.
“The search results are algorithm-driven and have no link to CBSE or its examination process,” the advisory noted.
CBSE Controller of Examinations Sanyam Bhardwaj also warned against deliberate attempts to misinterpret the QR codes, stating that linking them to unrelated content is “factually incorrect and misleading,” and could be aimed at damaging the board’s credibility.
The board urged students, parents, teachers, and media organisations to refrain from sharing unverified information and to rely only on official CBSE communications for accurate updates. It also emphasised the need for responsible information sharing to avoid confusion and safeguard institutional integrity.
In a related development, CBSE recently cautioned teachers involved in evaluating Class 10 and Class 12 answer sheets against sharing their opinions or experiences on social media, noting that such actions could lead to unnecessary confusion and rumours among students and stakeholders.
