CBSE Strongly Warns Against Believing Fake Paper Leak Claims in 2026 Exams

Ahead of and during the ongoing Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 10 and 12 board exams, the board has issued repeated warnings to students, parents and schools to be cautious of fake claims about question paper leaks circulating on social media and messaging platforms. Officials say misinformation about alleged leaks is entirely unfounded and could cause unnecessary anxiety during one of the most crucial academic periods of the year.

In its official advisory, the CBSE urged stakeholders not to get misled by unverified rumours and online posts suggesting that board exam papers have been leaked. The board emphasised that in past years, certain unscrupulous individuals have attempted to circulate bogus documents or claim access to future exam papers in order to mislead students or generate panic. It stressed that believing, engaging with, or forwarding such content does more harm than good and could jeopardise students’ focus and exam preparation.

The board’s advisory also reiterated that robust security measures and safeguards are in place for the secure and fair conduct of the examinations, which began on 17 February 2026 and will continue through early April for Class 12 and early March for Class 10. CBSE officials assured that the examination process remains secure and that any attempt to disrupt or undermine it through misinformation will be dealt with strictly under applicable rules and regulations.

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To prevent confusion, the CBSE specifically advised students and parents to rely solely on official channels — especially the board’s website and authorised notifications — for updates about schedules, exam rules, and any announcements. The board made clear that it does not endorse or recognise any third-party sites or social media accounts claiming to provide leaked papers or insider information.

Education experts have frequently noted that exam season often sees a spike in scams and false reports exploiting student anxiety, with fake “question papers” and misleading posts circulating widely on WhatsApp, Telegram and other platforms. These can cause undue stress and misdirection, diverting students’ attention from preparation. Authorities say the best course for examinees is to ignore such rumours and double-check any exam-related information through official notifications.

The CBSE’s warning comes amid broader efforts by educational boards across India to uphold the integrity of board examinations, which are high-stakes assessments for millions of students annually. While the board continues strict monitoring of online platforms for misinformation, parents and students are encouraged to maintain calm and focus on legitimate updates as board exams proceed.

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