In a twist that has left students amused and social media buzzing, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) finds itself at the centre of yet another viral moment—this time involving a Class 12 History question paper and an unexpected brush with internet celebrity.

Days after the Class 12 Mathematics paper triggered a wave of memes over a QR code that allegedly redirected users to Never Gonna Give You Up, the March 30 History exam has taken the trend a step further. Students claim that scanning the QR code on the paper led them to search results featuring socialite and influencer Orhan Awatramani, popularly known as Orry.

The development quickly gained traction online, with videos and screenshots flooding platforms as students documented the unexpected outcome. Independent verification of multiple paper sets reportedly showed the QR code redirecting to a search page linked to Orry, turning a routine security feature into viral content.

Adding fuel to the frenzy, Orry himself joined the conversation. In a video shared on social media, he is seen scanning the exam paper’s QR code and reacting with disbelief, calling the moment “a dream.” His caption—likening the CBSE paper to a festive “phuljadi packet”—only amplified the buzz.

From rickroll to Orry: A pattern emerges

This is not the first time CBSE’s QR codes have strayed into meme territory. Earlier in March, students scanning codes in the Mathematics paper found themselves “rickrolled”—redirected to Never Gonna Give You Up, one of the internet’s most enduring pranks.

At the time, CBSE clarified that the question paper was authentic and that QR codes are embedded solely as a security mechanism to verify legitimacy—not to deliver external content. However, the explanation did little to contain the online frenzy, as students gleefully shared their experiences.

When high-stakes exams meet internet culture

The incidents have struck a chord largely due to the stark contrast they present: a high-pressure examination environment colliding with the unpredictability of internet humour. Designed to safeguard exam integrity, QR codes have inadvertently become gateways to viral moments.

For students navigating the stress of board exams, the episodes offered brief comic relief. For the internet, they provided fresh meme material—bridging classrooms with pop culture in unexpected ways.

No official word yet, but concerns linger

While CBSE has not issued a statement on the latest incident, its earlier assurance emphasised that exam security and integrity remain uncompromised. Yet, the recurrence of such episodes has raised questions about oversight and the robustness of technological safeguards.

A quirky but cautionary moment

From a classic rickroll to an influencer cameo, CBSE’s 2026 board exams are shaping up to be as memorable online as they are significant academically.

Behind the humor, however, lies a more serious takeaway: in a system that caters to millions of students, even minor technological anomalies can snowball into nationwide talking points—underscoring the need for tighter checks in an increasingly digital examination framework.