CBSE has directed all its affiliated schools to appoint counsellors and wellness teachers for students studying in Classes 9 to 12. The move aims to strengthen mental health support, socio-emotional learning, and career guidance at the secondary and senior secondary level.
As per the latest guidelines, every school must maintain a student-to-counsellor ratio of 500:1. Schools have been instructed to ensure timely compliance with the new framework.
CBSE Counsellor and Wellness Teacher Guidelines
According to the official instructions issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education, each secondary and senior secondary school must appoint counsellors to perform dual roles. These include socio-emotional counselling and career counselling for students.
Schools are required to appoint one counselling and wellness teacher for every 500 students enrolled in Classes 9 to 12. The Board has clearly stated that the prescribed ratio must be strictly followed to ensure effective student support.
The appointed counsellor must possess the necessary academic qualifications. Eligible candidates should have a master’s or bachelor’s degree in psychology including clinical, counselling, applied, or educational psychology. Candidates with a master’s degree in social work with specialisation in mental health or counselling are also eligible. Alternatively, candidates holding a UG or PG degree in any subject along with a diploma in school counselling or child guidance and counselling can be appointed.
Skills and Training Required for CBSE Counsellors
The Board has highlighted that the appointed counsellor should have competencies related to social and emotional learning delivery. These include crisis intervention, identification of mental health concerns, and sensitisation of parents and teachers. Maintaining confidentiality has also been listed as a key responsibility.
As per the official order, the appointed person must mandatorily complete 50 hours of capacity building programmes (CBP3) offered by CBSE for psycho-social counselling. This training is essential to ensure standardised counselling practices across CBSE-affiliated schools.
CBSE has also encouraged schools to adopt the CBSE counselling hub and spoke school model. This model aims to enhance access to counselling and well-being support through structured collaboration among schools.
CBSE Admit Card 2026 and Board Exam Schedule
Meanwhile, CBSE is preparing for the upcoming board examinations. The CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board exams 2026 will be conducted between 17 February 2026 and 11 April 2026 in pen-and-paper mode.
The CBSE admit card 2026 for Classes 10 and 12 is expected to be released in the last week of January 2026. Schools will download the admit cards and get them signed by the school principal. Students must collect their hall tickets from their respective schools and carry them on all exam days, as entry will not be permitted without a valid admit card.