The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a sharp advisory countering misinformation around QR codes printed on its question papers, clarifying that the codes are being widely misinterpreted and wrongly linked to unrelated online content.

In the advisory signed by Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations, the board stressed that these QR codes are not designed to function as direct internet hyperlinks. Instead, they serve as part of CBSE’s internal systems for authentication, tracking, and ensuring the integrity of the examination process.

The board explained that scanning these QR codes does not open any web links. Instead, they display specific text embedded within the system. However, if users manually search this text on platforms like Google, search engines may generate unrelated suggestions—often leading to confusion. CBSE noted that such discrepancies do not occur when standard browsers like Chrome are used in their intended manner.

Misleading online behavior flagged

CBSE observed that attempts to interpret or manually search QR-related strings online have resulted in unrelated outputs, including references to individuals or entities with no connection to the board. It underlined that these results are purely algorithm-driven and bear no relevance to its examination processes.

The advisory further warned that certain elements are deliberately misrepresenting such unrelated search results to spread false narratives and tarnish the board’s image. It emphasised that linking QR codes to unrelated individuals or content is both factually incorrect and misleading.

Calling for restraint, CBSE urged students, parents, educators, and media platforms to avoid sharing unverified claims or speculative interpretations. Stakeholders have been advised to rely only on official CBSE communications for accurate information.

The board also stressed the need for responsible information sharing, cautioning against amplifying misleading content that could undermine institutional credibility during the examination period.