CBSE Maths Paper QR Code Sends Students to Viral ‘Rickroll’ Song, Board Says No Security Breach

New Delhi, March 10, 2026:  An unexpected moment during the CBSE Class 12 mathematics examination turned into a viral internet story after students who scanned a QR code printed on the question paper were redirected to a popular 1987 music video instead of any exam-related information. Videos soon surfaced on social media showing students discovering that the code led to Rick Astley’s famous song “Never Gonna Give You Up,” a track widely known for the online prank called “Rickrolling.”

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) later addressed the issue and clarified that the QR code printed on the question paper is part of a security feature designed to verify the authenticity of exam papers if there is any suspicion about leaks or tampering. According to the board, the code is not intended to redirect users to any external video or song. Officials also stressed that the question paper used in the exam was genuine and that the security of the examination process remained unaffected.

The Class 12 mathematics exam took place on March 9 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm at centres across the country. After the unusual incident gained traction online, CBSE officials said the matter was taken seriously and steps were being considered to ensure that similar technical issues do not occur in the future. CBSE Controller of Examinations Sanyam Bhardwaj confirmed that the board is reviewing the situation.

The video that appeared after scanning the code is closely linked with the internet prank known as “Rickrolling.” In this joke, users are tricked into clicking a link that appears to lead to something relevant or interesting but instead opens the music video of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.” The meme became extremely popular in the early days of social media and continues to circulate widely online.

The song itself was originally released in 1987 and quickly became a major international hit. It topped music charts in more than 25 countries and played a key role in launching Rick Astley’s career. The track earned the BRIT Award for British Single of the Year and also helped Astley secure a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Over the decades, the song has enjoyed a renewed life on the internet due to the Rickroll meme.

The official music video has continued to attract viewers worldwide, crossing one billion views on YouTube in 2021 and reaching about 1.7 billion views by March 2026. Rick Astley, who is now 60, has spoken in past interviews about the meme culture surrounding the song. He has described the phenomenon as unusual but has also said that he finds it amusing, often joking about how young he looked in the original video.

The unexpected appearance of the famous song through a QR code on an exam paper has now revived interest in the meme in India, where it quickly became a talking point among students and social media users. Despite the online buzz, CBSE has maintained that the examination process and the security of the question paper were not compromised.