CBSE introduces mandatory counselling framework for student mental health support

The Central Board of Secondary Education has introduced sweeping changes to its school affiliation rules, making the appointment of socio-emotional and career counsellors compulsory across all CBSE-affiliated institutions.

The national education board amended Clause 2.4.12 of the CBSE Affiliation Bye Laws, 2018, following a Public Interest Litigation filed before the Rajasthan High Court in July 2025 by Kota-based advocate Sujeet Swami along with psychology experts.

The petition flagged growing mental health concerns among students, academic pressure, and the absence of structured career guidance in schools.

During hearings in September 2025, a bench led by the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court sought responses from the CBSE, the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education, the University Grants Commission, and the state government.

After reviewing the submissions, the CBSE notified the amendments through a circular issued on Jan 19.

Under the revised framework, two new sub clauses have been added. Clause 2.4.12.1 requires every CBSE school to appoint one regular counselling and wellness teacher, also referred to as a socio-emotional counsellor, for every 500 students. Clause 2.4.12.2 makes the appointment of a career counselor mandatory.

Previously, CBSE guidelines mandated a full-time psychological counsellor only for schools with more than 300 students in Classes 9 to 12, while smaller schools were allowed to engage part-time counsellors. The updated norms also lay down minimum eligibility criteria.

A counselling and wellness teacher must hold a graduate or postgraduate degree in Psychology, or a postgraduate degree in Social Work with a specialization in mental health or counselling, along with the completion of a mandatory 50-hour CBSE-recognized capacity-building program.

Their duties include counselling students and parents, supporting social-emotional learning, crisis intervention, identifying mental health issues, sensitizing teachers and parents, and ensuring confidentiality and ethical practices.

To support smaller institutions, the board has introduced a Counselling Hub and Spoke School Model, under which designated hub schools will guide and support nearby spoke schools.

For career guidance, the CBSE has fixed a student-to-counsellor ratio of 1:500 for Classes 9 to 12. Career counselors must have a graduate or postgraduate degree in fields such as Humanities, Science, Social Sciences, Management, Education, or Technology.

Advocate Sujeet Swami said the petition sought reforms to address student mental health needs from primary through senior secondary levels and emphasized expert career guidance, especially after Class 10. He added that with CBSE implementing these changes, similar reforms are now awaited in RBSE-affiliated schools.

Advocate Amit Dadhich of the Rajasthan High Court welcomed the move, noting that representations have also been made before the court to develop a structured mental health support system for college and university students in Rajasthan, with positive outcomes expected in the near future.