The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a significant new rule for all its affiliated schools. Schools must now appoint dedicated counsellors and wellness teachers. This important step aims to provide better emotional and career support to students from Class 9 to Class 12 .
This initiative shows CBSE's focus on the overall well-being of students, not just academics. It recognizes that teenagers often face stress, confusion about their future, and personal challenges. Having trained professionals in schools will help create a more supportive and understanding environment for young learners across India.
One Counsellor for Every 500 Students
Under the new guidelines, every secondary and senior-secondary school must appoint one counselling and wellness teacher for every 500 students enrolled in Classes 9 to 12. This means maintaining a strict student-to-counsellor ratio of 500:1 . This ensures that counsellors are not overloaded and can give proper attention to students who need help.
Who Can Be a School Counsellor? Qualifications and Training
CBSE has outlined specific qualifications for these crucial roles to ensure students receive professional support. Here’s what is required:
| Required Educational Qualification | Key Skills Expected |
| A Master's or Bachelor's degree in Psychology (Clinical, Counselling, Applied, or Educational Psychology) | Delivering Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs |
| OR a Master's degree in Social Work (with a focus on Mental Health or Counselling) | Handling crisis situations and providing immediate support |
| OR an Undergraduate (UG) or Postgraduate (PG) degree in any subject, combined with a Diploma in School Counselling or Child Guidance and Counselling | Identifying early signs of mental health concerns |
| Educating and guiding parents and teachers on student well-being | |
| Maintaining strict confidentiality regarding student information |
Beyond academic qualifications, every appointed counsellor must also undergo a special 50-hour Capacity Building Program (CBP3) . This training is specifically designed and offered by CBSE to prepare them for effective psychosocial counselling in a school setting. This ensures that all counsellors are equipped with the latest methods and understanding to help students navigate their personal, social, and academic lives.
Key Duties of School Counsellors
The counsellors and wellness teachers will play a vital role in students' lives. Their duties include:
- Providing socio-emotional counselling to help students manage their feelings, relationships, and daily stress.
- Offering career counselling, guiding students on different career options, further studies, and making informed choices about their future.
- Intervening during crises or difficult personal situations that students might face.
- Working to identify students who may be experiencing mental health issues and connecting them with appropriate resources.
- Conducting awareness sessions for parents and teachers to help them understand student needs and support their children better.
- Ensuring that all discussions with students remain private and confidential.
To help schools effectively implement these services, CBSE suggests adopting a "hub and spoke" school model. In this model, a well-resourced school (the hub) can provide guidance and support to other nearby schools (the spokes) that might have fewer resources for counselling.
Important Update: CBSE Board Exams 2026 and Admit Cards
For students in Classes 10 and 12 , the CBSE board exams for the year 2026 are scheduled to take place from February 17 to April 11, 2026 . Students should mark these dates in their calendars.
The admit cards, which are essential for appearing in the exams, are expected to be released in the last week of January 2026 . Schools will be responsible for downloading the admit cards for all their students. After the school principal signs these documents, students must collect their personal admit cards from their respective schools.
Remember, it is mandatory to carry your CBSE admit card to the examination center on all exam days. Without it, students will not be allowed to enter the exam hall or write their papers.
