CBSE Mandates Two Qualified Counselors Per 500 Students in Affiliated Schools

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has revised its affiliation norms, mandating all affiliated secondary and senior secondary schools to appoint two full-time counselors: a socio-emotional Counselling Wellness Teacher and a Career Counsellor. Schools must maintain a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:500 for Classes 9 to 12. The board has specified distinct educational qualifications for each role and requires counselors to complete 50 hours of capacity-building programs to support students' mental health, emotional well-being, and career guidance from the next academic year.