It's that time of the year again. The board exam season. And if you're a student sitting for your board exams in 2026, chances are your phone has already buzzed with at least one message saying something like "Paper Out!"
Stop. Take a breath. And keep reading.
What's Actually Happening Right Now
CBSE 2026 Board Exams kicked off on February 17, 2026. Over 43 lakh students are appearing this year across thousands of exam centres. With exams running for such a long duration and so many students involved, it's almost expected that rumours start floating around on WhatsApp and Instagram.
CBSE has already issued an official public advisory warning students and parents not to believe or forward unverified messages about paper leaks. The board has clearly stated that some people deliberately spread fake news during exam season to create panic, and that strict action will be taken against anyone found spreading misinformation. For any updates, CBSE has asked everyone to only check cbse.gov.in.
Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, a situation did come up around the HSC Chemistry paper on February 18, where questions circulating on a WhatsApp group raised suspicion. Police arrested two individuals in connection with the circulation. However, and this is important, the Maharashtra State Board officially confirmed that there was no actual paper leak, and no re-examination will be held. The board's internal inquiry found that the circulation of similar-looking questions did not compromise the exam's integrity.
So no, students do not need to reappear. The exam stands.
Why Do These Rumours Spread So Fast?
You're already nervous. You haven't slept well. You're going over your notes for the tenth time. And then a message pops up saying the paper is out.
For a stressed brain, that feels urgent. You forward it. Your friend forwards it. And within minutes, hundreds of students are panicking over something that may not even be real.
This is exactly what troublemakers count on. Some do it for attention, some do it to disrupt exams, and some, as seen in the Maharashtra case, may be doing it for money. Tuition teachers or individuals with questionable access sometimes circulate "guess papers" dressed up as leaks to seem credible.
The truth? If a paper genuinely leaked, the board would know immediately and take action, including cancelling and rescheduling the exam. That's not something boards take lightly.
A Direct Message to Students
You've worked hard for this. Months of studying, revision, and practice papers. Don't let a random WhatsApp forward undo that.
Here's what you should actually do when you see a "leak" message:
- Don't open it. Don't forward it. Even engaging with it wastes your time and mental energy.
- Don't waste exam-night studying "leaked" content. If it's fake (which it most likely is), you've wasted your prep time. If it somehow turns out to be real, boards will take action, but they've confirmed they won't penalise students who appeared honestly.
- Stick to your study plan. The paper you've prepared for is the real one. Trust that.
- Talk to your parents or a teacher if a message is making you genuinely anxious. Don't sit with the worry alone.
What Parents Can Do (This Is Important)
Your child is already under a lot of pressure. The way you respond to these rumours matters more than you think.
- Don't panic in front of them. If you forward a leak message or start discussing it anxiously at the dinner table, your child will absorb that fear.
- Don't act on unverified information. Don't pull your child out of the exam hall mindset because of something you saw on WhatsApp. Wait for official communication from CBSE or your state board.
- Keep communication open. Ask your child how they're feeling, not just how their preparation is going. Sometimes, "I'm scared" is hiding behind "I'm fine."
- Check only official sources. CBSE updates are available at cbse.gov.in. Maharashtra Board updates are available at mahahsscboard.in. Anything outside these channels should be treated with caution.
Conclusion
Board exams are stressful, and there's no sugarcoating that. But they are also manageable. Millions of students clear them every year, and you can too.
The noise around leaks and rumours is a distraction. Boards have security systems, surveillance, and legal teams working to protect the process. When something goes wrong, they act, and they communicate officially.
Your job is to show up prepared, stay calm, and write your best paper.
That's what will count on your marksheet. Not a WhatsApp forward.
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