CBSE Introduces New Career and Mental Health Initiatives for Schools Across India

In a progressive move to enhance student support systems, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched two major initiatives for the academic session 2025–26 — the Career Guidance Dashboard and the Counseling Hub and Spoke School Model. These efforts aim to offer robust institutional mechanisms for career planning and mental health support across affiliated schools.

The initiatives were officially launched during a special orientation-cum-interaction session attended by school principals, teachers, and academic stakeholders. CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh emphasized the significance of these projects, stating, “Both programs are tailored to benefit schools and students, and we will continue to improve them through active stakeholder feedback.”

What Is the Career Guidance Dashboard?

Available at cbsecareerguidance.in, the CBSE Career Guidance Dashboard is a user-friendly digital platform designed to assist students, teachers, and school administrators in exploring career opportunities. It provides AI-powered tools, career exploration resources, virtual internships, and live webinars with industry professionals.

The dashboard goes beyond just listing career options. It uses data analytics to provide personalized recommendations based on each student’s interests, skills, and challenges. With this, students will be better positioned to make informed academic and career choices, in line with both national and global opportunities.

The Counseling Hub and Spoke School Model

To address growing concerns around student mental health, CBSE has also introduced the Counseling Hub and Spoke School Model. This model is designed to strengthen emotional well-being support in schools through a structured network of mentor (hub) schools and their associated (spoke) schools.

The initiative includes a comprehensive framework for implementation and monitoring, ensuring mental health becomes an integral part of school education. It promotes regular sessions on critical 21st-century skills such as digital communication, creativity, problem-solving, and resilience.

Key Features of the New CBSE Initiatives:

• AI-Driven Career Tools: Students can explore careers through AI-based assessments, virtual internships, and expert-led webinars.

• Personalized Career Paths: Guidance is tailored to students’ unique strengths, aspirations, and learning needs.

• Teacher and Parent Empowerment: Educators and guardians will receive the tools and training necessary to support students’ academic and emotional growth.

• Mental Wellness Support: Regular activities and digital interventions will focus on emotional health, self-expression, and stress management.

• Holistic Student Development: Emphasis on building life skills along with academic guidance to prepare students for real-world challenges.

• Peer Engagement: Initiatives to encourage interaction between current students and alumni, creating a collaborative learning ecosystem.

• Smart Progress Tracking: A smart dashboard will monitor student progress and provide actionable insights to teachers and advisors.

• Feedback Mechanism: Formal channels will gather ongoing input from students, educators, and counselors to keep the system responsive and dynamic.

A Step Towards Student-Centric Education

These initiatives mark a significant step in transforming India’s school education system from purely academic to one that emphasizes holistic student development. By integrating modern tools, career exploration resources, and mental health frameworks, CBSE is creating a more supportive and future-ready educational environment.

With this, CBSE reiterates its commitment to nurturing not just academically competent but emotionally resilient and career-ready individuals.