Maharashtra State Board Introduces Counsellor Helpline for Exam Stress Relief
With the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Class 12 examinations set to commence in just 10 days, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has taken a significant step to support students' mental well-being. On Saturday, the board officially announced the availability of ten mobile numbers for qualified counsellors, specifically designated to help students manage exam-related stress during this critical period.
Comprehensive Support System for Students
The state board's initiative comes as lakhs of students across Maharashtra prepare for both the HSC and Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Class 10 examinations. These board exams represent major academic milestones, often being the first significant standardized tests that students encounter in their educational journey.
According to an official note released by MSBSHSE, "During the exam period, many students remain under mental stress due to negative thoughts or fear of exams. To help such students come out of stress, counsellors have been appointed at the state board level to provide telephonic counselling."
The counselling service will be available daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, providing students with extended hours to seek support when they need it most. All contact numbers have been published on the official Maharashtra State Board website for easy access.
Expanding Reach Through Multiple Channels
This year, the Maharashtra State Board has significantly enhanced its digital presence to better connect with the student community. In addition to the traditional counselling services, the board has launched its official YouTube channel and expanded its footprint across various social media platforms.
The YouTube channel already features numerous informative videos, including technical guidance about board examinations and recorded messages from prominent personalities offering advice on maintaining composure during exams. This multi-platform approach ensures that students can access support through their preferred communication channels.
Clear Guidelines for Counselling Services
MSBSHSE Chairperson Trigun Kulkarni emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "State board exams are significant and often the first major examinations for many students. This can lead to certain amount of stress for some of them. The counsellors are a facility regularly provided by Maharashtra State Board to help students appearing for board exams to deal with stress faced around exams."
The board has issued specific guidelines regarding the appropriate use of these counselling services. The note clearly states, "However, students and parents should note that they should not ask counsellors questions related to examination centres, seating arrangements, question papers, or other such matters."
According to state board officials, these counsellors are exclusively appointed to help students manage exam-related stress and should not be contacted for technical queries. For administrative and technical questions about board examinations, separate helplines operated by divisional-level offices remain available.
Eligibility and Examination Schedule
The counselling service is available to multiple stakeholders in the education ecosystem:
- Students appearing for HSC (Class 12) examinations
- Students appearing for SSC (Class 10) examinations
- Parents concerned about their children's exam stress
- Teachers seeking guidance on supporting students
The written examinations follow a structured schedule:
- HSC Examinations: February 10 to March 18, 2026
- SSC Examinations: February 20 to March 18, 2026
This timely intervention by the Maharashtra State Board demonstrates a growing recognition of the psychological challenges students face during examination periods and represents a proactive approach to supporting their overall well-being alongside academic achievement.
