In a move aimed at strengthening career guidance and psychosocial support systems in schools, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on August 7, 2025, launched two key initiatives: the CBSE Career Guidance Dashboard and the CBSE Counselling Hub and Spoke School Model for the 2025-26 academic session.
While the Career Guidance Dashboard provides students with access to a rich set of tools and resources for informed career planning, the Hub & Spoke Model introduces a structured framework to enhance mental health support across CBSE-affiliated schools.
Dashboard Now Live
The CBSE Career Guidance Dashboard, accessible at cbsecareerguidance.in, serves as a comprehensive platform for students to explore career options, develop life skills, and make informed decisions. The portal is designed to be user-friendly and caters to the diverse academic and vocational interests of students.
Strengthening Well-being Support
The CBSE Counselling Hub & Spoke School Model is an innovative, collaborative network of schools designed to bolster socio-emotional learning (SEL) and mental wellness. Under this model, trained counsellors from designated 'hub schools' will mentor 8 to 10 'spoke schools', enabling peer learning, knowledge sharing, and capacity building in the field of student wellness.
These initiatives are aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which places strong emphasis on the holistic development of students and institutional capacity-building in the area of mental health.
Focus on the 4 As: Awareness, Access, Advocacy, Assistance
Awareness
Promote Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and life skills development across all grade levels
Develop empathy-building programs and emotional intelligence initiatives
Create awareness campaigns about mental health and well-being resources
Normalise the role of counselor as an integral part of the educational support system
Access:
- Establish multi-tiered support systems covering prevention, early intervention, and referral services
- Remove stigma around accessing counselor services through education and open dialogue
- Develop an open school culture that welcomes help-seeking behaviour
- Create multiple pathways for students to access support (referrals, self-referral)
Advocacy
- Build student voice and agency in mental health policy development within schools
- Train students as mental health advocates and peer educators
- Create student-led initiatives that promote well-being across the school community
- Develop leadership opportunities for students to champion mental health awareness
- Establish student advisory committees for counseling services improvement
- Empower students to advocate for mental health resources in their communities
Assistance
- Implement peer-led programs where students support and mentor each other
- Strengthen parent-school connections to create comprehensive support networks
- Develop crisis response protocols and emergency mental health support
- Fostering collaborative environments where seeking help is viewed as a strength
Professional Support and Capacity Building
The Board has also reiterated its commitment to wellness by mandating the appointment of counsellors or wellness teachers in schools. CBSE has already trained over 200 counsellors as Master Trainers through its Empowerment and Capacity Building Programs. Online orientation workshops were also held in late 2024 to prepare schools for the upcoming roll-out.
Broader System Goals
The CBSE's model also outlines systemic goals, such as:
- Establishing professional learning networks for school counsellors.
- Setting quality benchmarks in mental health service delivery.
- Encouraging data-driven, evidence-based practices.
- Ensuring continuous improvement through monitoring and accountability.
