Did a CBSE Maths exam QR code 'Rickroll' students? Internet reacts to viral claim
India Today
A QR code printed on a Class 12 mathematics paper of the Central Board of Secondary Education has sparked a viral debate online. Some students claim that scanning the code led them to the song 'Never Gonna Give You Up' by Rick Astley, a classic internet "rickroll." While screenshots and reactions have circulated widely on Reddit and social media, it remains unclear whether all exam papers carried the same link.
Did a QR code printed on a board exam paper secretly lead students to one of the internet’s oldest pranks? That is the question circulating online after screenshots of a Class 12 mathematics paper from the Central Board of Secondary Education began doing the rounds on social media. The exam was held yesterday, March 9.
According to posts shared by students, scanning the QR code on the paper opened the music video for 'Never Gonna Give You Up' by Rick Astley, effectively “rickrolling” those who tried it.
The claim quickly gained traction on forums such as Reddit, where students posted screenshots and reactions. However, it remains unclear whether the link appeared on all versions of the exam paper or if the viral image represents a limited case, leaving the episode hovering somewhere between exam-day curiosity and internet folklore.
The prank refers to rickrolling, an internet joke in which users are tricked into opening the music video for the hit song by Rick Astley instead of the content they expected. The meme, which originated online in the mid-2000s, has remained one of the internet’s most enduring pranks.
As images of the question paper spread online, Reddit users quickly began sharing their disbelief. In one thread discussing the incident, a user wrote, “Holy **** CBSE ne 12th ko rickroll kar diya!!?”, capturing the mix of shock and humour among students.
Others joked about the scale of the prank. One commenter quipped, “Best rickroll I’ve seen just from the amount of people that got rickrolled,” while another joked that “2026 is already off to a great start.”
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a warning to teachers involved in evaluating Class 10 and Class 12 board exam answer sheets after noticing posts related to the process appearing on social media.
Several creations by Indian designers made their way to the Oscars red carpet and the after-party this year.
Apple has launched the AirPods Max 2 with improved noise cancellation and the new H2 chip. The premium over-ear headphones are priced at Rs 67,900 in India.
Xiaomi has opened sales of its newly launched Pad 8 in India, with availability starting March 17, 2026. The tablet comes powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, runs on HyperOS 3, and offers improved multitasking features, targeting users who want a portable device with powerful performance for work and entertainment.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is likely to launch soon, as the event is reported to take place in about 5 months. Here is a look at the leaked design, India price, battery, camera, release timeline and other details.
After taking over the red carpet at the 98th Academy Awards with her Dior gown, Priyanka Chopra dialled up the glamour at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in a stunning backless gold gown.
Realme has announced the launch date for the P4 Lite 5G. The device will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and is confirmed to feature a 13-megapixel camera.
OpenAI Chairman Bret Taylor says it is emotionally difficult to stop writing code even as AI tools become capable of doing much of the work. His remarks come as developers across the industry debate how AI will change the role of software engineers.
The iQOO Z11x 5G, which launched on March 12, goes on sale today on Amazon. The device is available in three storage configurations and two colour options. Here is everything you need to know.
Indian-origin developer Aman Gottumukkala, founder of AI coding assistant Firebender, has joined Elon Musk's xAI to build advanced coding AI systems. His move comes as AI companies race to create powerful tools that can help developers write software faster.
Among the fashion standouts at the Oscars 2026 were Nicole Kidman, Teyana Taylor, Priyanka Chopra, Emma Stone, Audrey Nuna, Anne Hathaway and Pedro Pascal.
Thousands of degree certificates and mark sheets have remained unclaimed in several colleges for nearly four decades. Students passed their exams but never returned to collect their documents, leaving institutions struggling to store the growing pile of academic records.
In a small classroom in Aligarh's government school, waste materials are turning into machines. A government school teacher is guiding students to build simple robots and drones using scrap, helping them understand science through hands-on learning.