CBSE Launches Free Psycho-Social Counselling for Class 10 & 12 Students Ahead of 2026 Board Exams
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has rolled out its annual free psycho-social counselling support programme for students of Class 10 and Class 12, aimed at helping them manage exam-related stress and emotional challenges as they gear up for the 2026 board examinations.
Supporting Students’ Mental Well-Being
The initiative, which began on January 6, 2026 and will continue until June 1, 2026, is designed to provide emotional and psychological support to learners during the high-pressure pre-exam period. The CBSE board exams are scheduled to commence from February 17, 2026.
Under this programme, students and parents can access a range of free counselling services, including helplines, tele-counselling, and online resources focused on stress management, effective study planning, and emotional resilience.
Key Features of the Counselling Support
📞 24×7 Toll-Free Helpline
Students can dial the toll-free number 1800-11-8004 to access round-the-clock support via an Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) available in Hindi and English. The IVRS offers tips on handling exam stress, time-management strategies, answers to common queries, and essential CBSE contact information.
🧑💻 Tele-Counselling Services
From 9:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays, learners and parents can interact with a panel of 73 trained professionals—including principals, counsellors, special educators from CBSE-affiliated schools, and qualified psychologists.
Of these counsellors, 61 are based in India, while 12 operate from international locations such as Nepal, Japan, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE, expanding the reach of support for students and families living abroad or traveling.
💡 Digital Resources
CBSE has also curated a collection of online educational resources on its official website, aimed at helping students build confidence, plan their studies effectively, and adopt healthy coping mechanisms. These resources are crafted to be concise, engaging, and easy to use.
Board’s Focus on Holistic Student Health
With rising concerns about examination stress, the board’s initiative reflects a broader effort to ensure that emotional well-being receives as much attention as academic preparedness. CBSE encourages students and parents to take full advantage of the counselling services as part of a holistic approach to exam readiness.
As competition and expectations grow each year, such supportive measures aim to provide students with the confidence, balance, and mental clarity needed to succeed in one of the most important academic milestones of their schooling journey.
