In a significant policy shift aimed at strengthening student well-being and academic support, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that all affiliated schools must now appoint Mental Health and Career Counsellors Mandatory. This landmark decision underscores a growing recognition of the importance of socio-emotional support in school education and responds to rising concerns about student stress, wellbeing, and future planning.
What the New Rule Says
Under the revised affiliation norms issued by CBSE, every CBSE-affiliated school must appoint both a Mental Health and Career Counsellors Mandatory. Schools are required to maintain a standard ratio of one counsellor and wellness teacher for every 500 students, covering secondary and senior secondary classes. Counsellors must hold relevant qualifications in psychology, social work, or counselling, and complete a 50-hour CBSE-recognised training programme.
To support smaller schools that may not have the resources to hire full-time staff, CBSE has introduced a “Hub and Spoke” model. Under this system, larger schools (hubs) can collaborate with nearby smaller schools (spokes) to share counselling services and expertise.
Why This Change Matters
The updated rule reflects a broader understanding that a child’s education involves more than academics alone. Mental health, emotional resilience, and career guidance are now considered integral to a well-rounded schooling experience.
1. Addressing Mental Health Challenges
Recent years have seen increasing stress among students due to academic pressure, social comparisons, and exam anxiety. Counsellors are expected to provide a safe space for students to discuss emotional concerns, stress, trauma, or interpersonal issues. Early identification and support can prevent problems from escalating into more serious conditions.
2. Career Guidance and Future Planning
Alongside emotional support, career counsellors will help students explore career options, understand subject choices, prepare for college admissions, and align their academic path with future goals. This dual focus aims to reduce confusion and anxiety around future planning.
3. Support for Teachers and Parents
Counsellors also play a role in sensitising teachers and parents about mental health issues. By collaborating with staff and families, they can help create a supportive environment that encourages healthy communication, empathy, and understanding.
How This Will Work in Practice
Under the new norms, schools must ensure that counsellors are available during school hours for regular consultations, classroom discussions, workshops, and crisis intervention. Counsellors will also be expected to:
Conduct individual and group counselling sessions
Facilitate social-emotional learning (SEL) programmes
Conduct mental health assessments and referrals
Maintain confidentiality and ethical standards
Collaborate with teachers on behavioural interventions
CBSE has also clarified that counsellors should receive continuous training and professional development to stay updated on best practices and emerging challenges in child psychology and counselling.
Reactions from Education Experts
Mental Health and Career Counsellors Mandatory as they advocates have largely welcomed the move, noting that many schools previously lacked structured support for student well-being. A major concern was that smaller schools, in particular, struggled to offer consistent counselling due to limited resources. The hub-and-spoke model is expected to help bridge this gap by pooling expertise and enabling wider access to services.
Challenges and What’s Next
While the policy represents a major step forward, implementation may present challenges. These include:
Recruiting qualified counsellors in rural or smaller towns
Ensuring schools devote adequate time and space for counselling
Integrating services into existing school routines without overburdening teachers
To support implementation, some schools may leverage technology or partnerships with mental health organisations, tele-counselling services, and national programmes such as the Tele-MANAS mental health helpline, which offers 24×7 support in multiple languages.
Conclusion
The decision by CBSE to make mental health and career counsellors mandatory in all affiliated schools marks a significant shift in how education systems approach student development — prioritising wellbeing, emotional support, and future readiness alongside academic achievement thats why Mental Health and Career Counsellors Mandatory. By equipping schools with the personnel and training to support the whole child, this initiative aims to create healthier, more resilient, and more confident learners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What does CBSE’s new counselling rule require?
Ans: CBSE now mandates every affiliated school to appoint a Mental Health and Career Counsellors Mandatory, with at least one counsellor per 500 students.
Q2. Why did CBSE introduce this rule?
Ans: The move addresses rising mental health concerns among students and aims to provide structured emotional support and career guidance.
Q3. Who can be a counsellor in CBSE schools?
Ans: Counsellors must hold relevant qualifications in psychology, social work, or counselling and complete a 50-hour CBSE-recognised training programme.
Q4. How will smaller schools manage counsellors?
Ans: Smaller schools may share counsellors through a “Hub and Spoke” model, where larger schools provide services to nearby schools.
Q5. Do counsellors only handle emotional issues?
Ans: No — they also support academic stress, social interactions, career planning, and crisis intervention to promote overall wellbeing.
