CBSE Mandates Mental Health and Career Counsellors in All Affiliated Schools
In a landmark decision aimed at bolstering student welfare and future readiness, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made the appointment of socio-emotional and career counsellors mandatory for all its affiliated schools. This significant policy shift comes as a response to growing concerns about student mental health and the need for structured career guidance in educational institutions across India.
Legal Catalyst and Policy Amendments
The directive follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed before the Rajasthan High Court in July 2025 by Kota-based advocate Sujeet Swami and psychology experts. The PIL highlighted alarming trends in student mental health, including escalating academic stress and inadequate career counseling frameworks. During September 2025 hearings, the court sought responses from multiple educational bodies, leading to CBSE's formal amendments to Clause 2.4.12 of its Affiliation Bye-Laws through a circular dated January 19, 2026.
Detailed Counselling Requirements
The revised provisions introduce two crucial sub-clauses with specific implementation guidelines:
- Clause 2.4.12.1: Mandates every CBSE school to appoint one regular Counselling and Wellness Teacher (socio-emotional counsellor) for every 500 students.
- Clause 2.4.12.2: Makes the appointment of a dedicated Career Counsellor compulsory across all affiliated institutions.
This represents a substantial expansion from previous norms, which only required full-time psychological counsellors in schools with over 300 students in Classes 9-12, allowing smaller schools to engage part-time professionals.
Qualification Standards and Responsibilities
The education board has established rigorous eligibility criteria to ensure qualified professionals fill these critical roles:
- Counselling and Wellness Teachers must possess:
- A graduate or postgraduate degree in Psychology
- OR a postgraduate degree in Social Work with mental health/counselling specialization
- Completion of a mandatory 50-hour CBSE-recognized capacity-building program
- Career Counsellors require:
- A graduate or postgraduate degree in Humanities, Science, Social Sciences, Management, Education, or Technology
The responsibilities of Counselling and Wellness Teachers encompass comprehensive student and parent counselling, social-emotional learning initiatives, crisis intervention, mental health concern identification, teacher and parent sensitization programs, and maintaining strict confidentiality and ethical standards.
Innovative Hub-Spoke Model for Smaller Schools
Recognizing implementation challenges for smaller institutions, CBSE has introduced a flexible Counselling Hub and Spoke School Model. Under this innovative framework, designated "Hub" schools with established counselling infrastructure will mentor and support nearby "Spoke" schools, ensuring all students have access to professional guidance regardless of their school's size or resources.
Career Guidance Specifications
For career counselling specifically, CBSE has mandated a student-to-counsellor ratio of 1:500 for students in Classes 9 to 12. This structured approach aims to provide personalized attention to students during critical decision-making years regarding their academic and professional futures.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Future Implications
Advocate Sujeet Swami, the PIL petitioner, emphasized that the plea sought comprehensive amendments addressing mental health needs from primary to senior secondary levels, with particular focus on expert career guidance post-Class 10. He expressed hope that the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) would implement similar reforms following CBSE's leadership.
Advocate Amit Dadhich of the Rajasthan High Court welcomed the decision, noting that representations are already before the court to develop structured mental health support systems for college and university students in Rajasthan, with positive outcomes anticipated in the near future.
This transformative policy represents a significant step toward creating more supportive, holistic educational environments that prioritize both psychological well-being and future preparedness for India's student population.
