Both initiatives reflect the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s call for professional counseling for all students, promoting sensitivity, inclusion, and dignity within school systems.
“By expanding access to counseling, we aim to strengthen institutional capacity among educators and counselors,” said CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta.

Implementation Requirements
CBSE urges schools to actively adopt the Hub & Spoke model and make use of career guidance resources. To qualify as a hub school, institutions must:

• Have at least 10 years of operation

• Employ experienced counselors

• Maintain dedicated counseling spaces

• Ensure geographic accessibility to spoke schools

• Commit to documentation and reporting

Support Structure
Hub schools will:

• Guide spoke schools strategically

• Act as mental health resource centers

• Organize training sessions and workshops

• Monitor standards and progress

Spoke schools will:

• Attend monthly hub meetings

• Implement well-being programs

• Adapt initiatives to their contexts

• Contribute to the shared professional network

Activity Calendar
The CBSE has provided a month-by-month focus for schools:

• July: Understanding the counseling process

• August: Self-awareness

• Sept–Oct: Physical, emotional, and digital safety

• November: 21st-century skills

• Dec–Jan: Growth mindset and empathy

• February: Gender and cultural sensitivity

Schools must document activities and submit monthly reports to hub schools, which will forward compiled reports to CBSE. Additional recommended initiatives include peer-led programs, wellness corners, and parent engagement sessions.

“Schools must be safe spaces where every child feels valued,” said CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh. “When we care for the whole child, we nurture a compassionate generation.”

For support and resources, schools can contact CBSE at cbse.counseling@gmail.com.

Source: CBSE Official Circular (PDF)