Archive · 24 Jan 2026
CBSE Mandates Mental Health, Career Counsellors in Schools
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it a rule for all its schools to have special teachers who help students with their feelings and future career choices.
This rule was made after some people went to court to ask for better support for students' mental health.
Now, every school must have at least one teacher for every 500 students to help with emotions and another for career advice.
These teachers need special training and degrees.
Smaller schools can share these teachers with nearby schools.
The goal is to make sure students feel supported and can get good advice about their future.
CBSE has made the appointment of socio-emotional and career counsellors mandatory in all affiliated schools.
The mandate was introduced following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in July 2025 by Advocate Sujeet Swami and psychology experts.
Every CBSE school must appoint one Counselling and Wellness Teacher for every 500 students and one Career Counsellor.
Counsellors must meet specific educational qualifications and complete a 50-hour CBSE-recognised capacity-building programme.
Smaller schools can participate in a Counselling Hub and Spoke School Model, where 'Hub' schools mentor nearby 'Spoke' schools.
- Who
- CBSE, Rajasthan High Court, Advocate Sujeet Swami, and psychology experts
- What
- Mandatory appointment of socio-emotional and career counsellors in CBSE-affiliated schools
- When
- January 19, 2026 (implementation), July 2025 (PIL filed)
- Where
- India, specifically CBSE-affiliated schools
- Why
- To address rising mental health challenges and provide structured career guidance for students
- Mandate Date
- January 19, 2026
- Counsellor-Student Ratio
- 1:500
- Minimum Qualification for Counselling and Wellness Teacher
- Graduate or postgraduate degree in Psychology or a postgraduate degree in Social Work with specialisation in mental health or counselling
- Minimum Qualification for Career Counsellor
- Graduate or postgraduate degree in disciplines such as Humanities, Science, Social Sciences, Management, Education or Technology
- Capacity-Building Programme
- 50-hour CBSE-recognised programme for Counselling and Wellness Teachers
- Counselling Hub and Spoke School Model
- Hub schools mentor nearby Spoke schools
- PIL Filed By
- Kota-based advocate Sujeet Swami and some psychology experts
- PIL Filed Date
- July 2025
