The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made the appointment of socio-emotional and career counsellors mandatory in all its affiliated schools, following amendments to its Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018.

The changes were introduced through a circular issued on January 19, 2026, after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed before the Rajasthan High Court in July 2025 by Kota-based advocate Sujeet Swami along with psychology experts. The petition highlighted rising mental health concerns among students and the absence of structured career guidance in schools.

During hearings in September 2025, a bench headed 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. Following these submissions, the CBSE amended Clause 2.4.12 of its affiliation norms.

Under the revised provisions, every CBSE school must appoint one Counselling and Wellness Teacher, or socio-emotional counsellor, for every 500 students. Schools are also required to appoint a Career Counsellor, with a student-to-counsellor ratio of 1:500 for Classes 9 to 12.

The Counselling and Wellness Teacher must hold a graduate or postgraduate degree in Psychology, or a postgraduate degree in Social Work with a specialisation in mental health or counselling, and complete a mandatory 50-hour CBSE-recognised training programme. Their role includes student and parent counselling, crisis intervention, identification of mental health concerns, and sensitisation of teachers and parents.

For career counselling, the minimum qualification includes a graduate or postgraduate degree in disciplines such as Humanities, Science, Social Sciences, Management, Education or Technology.

The CBSE has also introduced a Counselling Hub and Spoke School Model to support smaller schools, allowing designated hub schools to provide mentoring services to nearby institutions.

Earlier, CBSE norms required full-time psychological counsellors only in schools with more than 300 students in Classes 9 to 12, while smaller schools could appoint part-time counsellors.

Advocate Sujeet Swami said the PIL had sought mandatory mental health and career guidance support from primary to senior secondary levels and expressed hope that similar reforms would be adopted by Rajasthan Board-affiliated schools. Advocate Amit Dadhich of the Rajasthan High Court said efforts were underway to develop a structured mental health support system for college and university students in the state.

Inputs from PTI

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