CBSE Revises Rules: Mental Health and Career Counselors Mandatory in Schools for Classes 9 to 12

Jodhpur: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has revised its regulations and made the appointment of mental health and career counselors mandatory in schools for students of Classes 9 to 12.

Under the revised norms, every CBSE-affiliated school will be required to appoint one mental health (socio-emotional) counselor and one career counselor for every 500 students. The decision has been taken to address increasing academic pressure, stress, and career-related confusion among school students.

Decision Taken After High Court Hearing

This decision was taken following a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Rajasthan High Court. During the hearing held in September 2025, the division bench headed by the Chief Justice sought responses and suggestions from CBSE, the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education, the University Grants Commission, and the State Government.

After considering all submissions, CBSE issued a circular on 19 January 2026, implementing necessary amendments in its Affiliation Bye-Laws 2018.

Key Changes in CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws

CBSE has amended Clause 2.4.12 of its affiliation bye-laws by adding two new sub-clauses. As per the revised rules:

• One trained mental health or socio-emotional counselor must be appointed for every 500 students.
• A dedicated career counselor must be available in schools for Classes 9 to 12.

Role of Career Counselors

Career counselors will guide students in selecting appropriate subjects, academic streams, courses, and future career options. The objective is to help students make informed decisions aligned with their interests and abilities.

Qualification Criteria for Counselors

The eligibility criteria for counselors have also been clearly defined by CBSE.

• Postgraduate degree in Psychology or Social Work, or specialization in Mental Health or Counseling
• Minimum 50 hours of recognized professional training is mandatory
• For career counselors, graduation or postgraduation in Psychology, Science, Social Science, Management, Education, or Technology is required

Implementation Date

The revised rules have come into effect from 19 January 2026 and are applicable to all CBSE-affiliated schools across the country.

Disclaimer: This article is published for informational and academic reference purposes only. Students, parents, and schools are advised to refer to the official CBSE circular and notifications for accurate and updated information.