CBSE Announces New Career Guidance Dashboard and Mental Health Hub—Supports Students Nationwide
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has unveiled two transformative initiatives—the Career Guidance Dashboard and the Counselling Hub & Spoke Model—to provide comprehensive career and mental health support to students across India for the 2025-26 academic year. These pioneering efforts mark a significant stride in holistic student development, emphasising not only academic preparedness but psychological well-being, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
A New Era for Career Guidance
The Career Guidance Dashboard, an innovative digital platform, is designed to democratize access to high-quality career information and counselling for CBSE students nationwide. This user-centric dashboard offers a wealth of resources, including curated career paths aligned with emerging fields in India and abroad, personalised interest assessments, and tailored educational planning tools. The platform aids students in mapping their strengths and passions to potential academic and vocational opportunities, effectively bridging a critical gap in career counselling availability.
Students, educators, and parents can explore various educational routes, competitive exam preparation strategies, and professional skill-building programs, all from a single interface. The dashboard also supports teachers and guardians with actionable insights to better guide students through complex decisions surrounding higher education and career options. By providing expert-driven content and interactive tools, CBSE aims to empower students to make informed, confident decisions about their futures.
Addressing Student Mental Health
Recognising the urgent need for mental health support in schools, CBSE’s Counselling Hub & Spoke Model introduces a systematic approach to student emotional well-being. The model designates “hub” schools, equipped with strong counselling resources, to mentor and support several “spoke” schools within their network. This structure facilitates the delivery of consistent, high-quality mental health services across a broad spectrum of institutions.
Trained wellness counsellors and educators conduct a variety of activities, including peer support groups, stress management workshops, emotional literacy sessions, and crisis intervention training. These programs are designed to foster resilience, self-awareness, and a nurturing school atmosphere. The initiative also actively involves parents and the community to create a wide-reaching support system.
Through monthly evaluations and a standardised reporting framework, the hub ensures accountability and continuous quality improvement in counselling services. Professional development opportunities for teachers and counsellors further reinforce the effectiveness and sustainability of these services.
Integration and Impact
CBSE officials, including Chairperson Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta, have emphasised the importance of integrating career guidance with mental health services to support the whole child. In an era where academic pressures and career uncertainties can weigh heavily on young minds, these initiatives provide vital resources and safety nets.
The launch event featured live demonstrations of the dashboard, detailed briefings on the counselling model, and expert discussions highlighting the long-term benefits of this integrated strategy. Stakeholders from diverse educational backgrounds expressed optimism about the potential of these programs to transform Indian education by fostering both academic excellence and psychological resilience.
Looking Forward
These flagship initiatives underscore CBSE’s commitment to equipping students not just for examinations but for life. By offering accessible career guidance alongside robust mental health support, CBSE is paving the way for more well-rounded, confident, and future-ready generations. Schools across the country are encouraged to actively utilise these tools and frameworks to cultivate environments where every student can thrive academically and emotionally.
In the coming years, continuous feedback from educators, students, and parents will refine and expand these initiatives, ensuring they remain responsive to evolving needs. With these measures, CBSE aims to set a precedent for educational boards nationwide, highlighting the vital connection between career preparedness and mental wellness as inseparable components of quality STEM education.
