CBSE mandates Dual Counsellor System in Schools, Sets 1:500 Ratio for Student Support

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is set to bring about some significant changes in schools' approach towards student mental health and career planning by issuing a circular for 2026. It will be compulsory for schools to hire two specialized counsellors instead of one general counsellor.

Now, schools affiliated with CBSE should have two separate counsellors: a Socio-Emotional Counsellor and a Career Counsellor. This new requirement is a clear recognition of the benefits of offering students specialized support.

The Socio-Emotional Counsellor, also known as the Counselling & Wellness Teacher, is the one who will primarily look into the students' mental health. They will be responsible for conducting social-emotional learning (SEL) sessions, spotting students with mental health issues, and taking steps in the event of a crisis. The Board has set the minimum requirement for a counsellor as one for every 500 students.

Regarding eligibility, the first requirement is that the candidate has a degree in Psychology (any of the four fields mentioned) or a MSc in Social Work (majoring in Mental Health/Counselling). Besides this, anyone who has done a graduate course in any discipline plus School Counselling/Child Guidance Diploma will also be eligible. These counsellors are required to take, every year, 50 hours of training through CBSE approved Capacity Building Programs (CBPs).

Simultaneously, educational institutions have to designate a Career Counsellor for the students of classes IX to XII, while keeping the ratio to the existing 1:500. Such position aims to be of help for the students who are planning for their higher education and deciding about their career paths. The counsellor's role includes, among other things, explanation of results from aptitude tests and facilitation of students with the knowledge of universities in India and abroad.

The eligibility standards for career counsellors are less strict as candidates holding Bachelors or Masters degrees in science humanities social sciences management education, or technology may apply. In extreme cases where schools experience shortage, CBSE also grants permission for schools to take the services of a trained teacher on a temporary basis subject to their getting the required qualifications within two academic years. They must also undergo 50 hours of specialised training every year. The circular also stresses that professional development should continue and schools should be motivated to take advantage of 'Hub & Spoke Model' or any other similar collaborative approach for sharing counselling resources and expertise.

The instruction has been sent to prominent school systems including Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, and Sainik Schools Society, which means that there will be a nationwide effort to bring the student well-being services to one level. With academic pressures and career-related fears being the top reasons for stress among children, CBSE seems to be changing the existing casual and unstructured counselling in schools by a well-organised, professionally supported system, which should be an integral part of school education.