CBSE Makes School Counselors Mandatory: Scope & Eligibility

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a new guideline under which all CBSE’s schools are now required to appoint full-time trained Wellness and Career Counselors in schools.

• Mandatory 1:500 counselor‑to‑student ratio for Classes 9–12

• Separate roles for Wellness Counselors and Career Counselors

• 2 year period for schools to follow through on the mandate

• Rising demand across CBSE, private and international schools

• Eligibility criteria include graduation and CBSE‑approved training, and Master’s or PG Diploma courses give added advantage

• Graduates with counseling qualifications have growing career opportunities

If you want to become a professional career counselor, then this is the perfect time to start your journey by getting the right qualifications and help children in their learning journeys.

In a landmark move, CBSE has made appointment of Wellness and Career Counselors mandatory in schools in 2026.  

According to the new circular, schools are expected to maintain a ratio of 1 career counselor for 500 students in grades from 9 to 12. 

Thus, there is now a rising demand for professionals with the right qualifications in schools across India. 

If you want to make a real difference in the lives of children and have the ability to listen empathetically and give guidance, then courses in counseling can have great benefit for you.  

CBSE’s mandate is already reshaping school hiring.  Apply Now to Become a Certified School Counselor

The New Education Policy, 2020, has emphasised the importance of guidance and counseling for the growth and well-being of students in secondary and higher secondary levels of education. In the current scenario, this need has grown stronger. 

In 2026, many students are facing academic stress and need support in coping with it. Students in grades 9 to 12  are also confused about their future careers and need expert guidance to make the right academic decisions.

There is rising awareness in society about mental health and about children’s emotional and social well-being. This is where counselors play a vital role in children’s lives..

School counselors support students in three key areas:

• Academic - study habits, exam stress, time management

• Career - stream selection, career planning, aptitude assessment

• Socio-emotional - bullying, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship issues

Turn CBSE’s new mandate into a rewarding career opportunity.

👉 Apply Now Online

👉 Talk to an SCDL Advisor

Counseling and guiding children is a delicate task with great responsibility. This requires proper training, expertise and qualifications. 

The requirements to become a school counselor are as follows.

Minimum Eligibility

You need a Bachelor’s degree in any field to be a school counselor.

Preferred Background 

However, most schools prefer candidates with a degree in 

• Psychology

• Social work

• Education

Recommended Qualifications

To make your profile more fitting for the role, the following courses can help:

• PG Diploma in School counseling

• PG Diploma in Guidance counseling 

Special Requirements for CBSE

To become counselor in CBSE schools, you also need 

• 50 hours of CBSE-approved training 

• Knowledge in socio-emotional learning, mental health identification, and career assessment

CBSE requires trained counselors - are you eligible?  Check Eligibility

There are thousands of CBSE schools in India that need wellness and career counselors. 

With the new circular mandating every school needs to have a separate position for

1. Wellness teacher

   1. Will focus on socio-emotional wellbeing of students, manage stress 

2. Career counselor

   1. Will focus on guiding students’ career path and future 

Schools are expected to appoint a full time counselor for every 500 students and schools with 300 or less students are expected to employ a part-time counselor. 

According to this update, CBSE schools will be using a ‘Hub and Spoke’ model to share their resources and meet the requirement of counselors in schools. 

The current mandate is expected to be implemented in the next 2 years. Thus, professionals with the right qualifications for being a counselor in CBSE schools are going to be in high demand. 

Beyond CBSE schools, career counselors also have scope in 

• Private schools

• International schools 

• EdTech firms 

• Career counseling firms 

• NGOs

Working as a career or wellbeing counselor can be highly rewarding and meaningful. 

A career as a counselor is a great choice if you are

• Psychology graduate

• Teacher

• Educator 

• Career switchers interested in children’s wellbeing

If you want to help children on their journey or support their mental and emotional well-being, then this career is for you. 

With a PG Diploma in School Counseling, you can become more eligible to be a counselor in CBSE schools. 

If you want to get qualified to be eligible to be a counselor in a CBSE school, the course can give you the advantage you need to get better and higher-paying roles. Also, this qualification will give you the skills and credibility you need to become more visible in the industry.  

Institutions like Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning(SCDL), with over 25 years of legacy, offer flexible PG Diploma programs that help graduates meet eligibility requirements for school counseling roles.

Here are some key benefits of choosing a PG Diploma in School Counseling from SCDL:

• Flexible online learning with live online classes and on-demand exams. 

• 1-year program with industry aligned curriculum.

• Covers child & adolescent psychology, learning difficulties, emotional health, and more. 

• Builds strong skills in psychological assessment and counselling techniques. 

• Ideal for those from psychology, education, and social work backgrounds wanting specialization. 

• Backed by SCDL’s 25+ year legacy and large alumni network and recognized Online‑learning expertise

In the next two years, CBSE schools will need to comply with the new mandate for school counselors. Thus, there will be a rise in the demand for roles in counselling. 

If you aspire to guide children on their future career paths, help children maintain strong emotional and mental wellbeing, then career counseling will be a great field for you to work in. 

Professionals with the right qualifications and skills can get salaries from INR 4 to 5 LPA in India.