In a significant step towards promoting career readiness and mental wellbeing among students, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday launched two flagship initiatives — the Career Guidance Dashboard and the Counseling Hub and Spoke School Model — for the academic session 2025–26. These initiatives are part of CBSE’s broader vision to support students not just academically, but also psychologically and professionally.
At the launch event, CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh emphasized the long-term impact of these initiatives, stating, “Both initiatives are designed to benefit schools and students and will continue to evolve through active input from stakeholders.” The new programs aim to institutionalize mechanisms for comprehensive career planning and structured psychosocial support in schools across the country.
Career Guidance Dashboard: Personalized Roadmaps for Every Student
During the orientation-cum-interaction session, expert teams offered a detailed walkthrough of the Career Guidance Dashboard, an interactive digital platform designed to help students explore a wide range of career options. The dashboard features a student-friendly user interface, detailed career maps, aptitude assessments, and curated resources tailored to individual strengths and interests.
The platform is structured to assist not only students but also teachers and school leaders, who can access guidance tools, monitor progress, and contribute to students’ developmental journeys. The dashboard integrates career databases, higher education pathways, and vocational options, thus helping students make informed decisions about their academic and professional futures.
This initiative reflects the growing need for personalized career counseling in schools, especially as students navigate an increasingly competitive and dynamic job market.
CBSE Counseling Hub and Spoke Model: Building a Psychosocial Support Network
The second major initiative, the CBSE Counseling Hub and Spoke Model, is aimed at ensuring consistent and accessible mental health support within the school ecosystem. A dedicated session was held to explain the implementation architecture, school-level responsibilities, and monitoring mechanisms for this model.
Under this model, select schools will serve as Hubs, equipped with full-time trained counselors and resources. These hubs will guide and support a group of Spoke schools, which may not have the same level of resources. The idea is to create a decentralized yet collaborative support system that ensures every student has access to timely emotional and psychological support, regardless of the location or size of their school.
The model encourages peer support, early identification of issues, and regular training for teachers to recognize and respond to students’ psychosocial needs effectively. It also includes guidelines for reporting, documentation, and regular assessment of school wellbeing programs.
A Step Towards Holistic Education
Together, these initiatives reflect CBSE’s commitment to a holistic education model that prepares students not just for exams, but for life. With mental health and career readiness now recognized as critical components of student success, CBSE’s forward-looking approach sets a strong foundation for nurturing confident, competent, and emotionally resilient young individuals.
Stakeholders — including educators, counselors, and parents — are encouraged to actively participate in shaping and refining these programs to ensure maximum benefit for learners across the country, for more details CLICK HERE
