CBSE launches counseling hub and spoke model, mental health services will reach every student

CBSE has launched the Counseling Hub and Spoke Model for the mental health and well-being of students from the 2025-26 session. With this initiative, timely counseling services will be available in every school.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has started a major initiative keeping in mind the mental health and well-being of the students. From the 2025-26 academic session, the board has implemented the "Counseling Hub and Spoke School Model". The purpose of this model is that every child can get timely counseling services and mental health support.

In today's time, along with studies, the pressure of competition, stress, and anxiety is increasing on children. In such an environment, many times children are not able to tell their problems openly at home or school. This new step of CBSE can prove to be a big relief for the students.

The start and main objective of the model

This model is inspired by the thinking of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This initiative has been created on the idea that education should not be limited to books and marks but should also strengthen the mental health and life skills of children. The board says that now a collaborative network will be formed between the schools, so that students will get timely psychological and social support at every level. This step will not only make it easier for students to access counseling services but will also increase the institutional capacity of the schools.

To which institutions was the message sent

CBSE has sent information about this initiative to many big education institutions and departments across the country. These include Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), Eklavya Model Residential School, Sainik School, Odisha Adarsh ​​​​Vidya Sangathan, State Directorate of Education, Army Welfare Education Society (AWES) and Central Tibetan School Administration.

How will the hub and spoke model work

There will be two types of schools in this model – hub school and spoke school.

Hub School – These will work like the main center. They will have experienced counselors and trained health teachers.

Spoke School – These will be connected to the hub school and will implement the activities decided every month.

Counselors of hub schools and counselors of spoke schools will jointly conduct activities for students. Such as workshops on mental health, peer learning activities, group counseling and individual counseling when needed.

Role of Principal and Counselor

The role of the school head or principal will be the most important in this entire model. They will monitor all the activities and give guidelines. Under their guidance, counselors and health teachers will help the children. Counselors will not only listen to the problems of the children but will also lead them towards solutions. For example – how to reduce exam stress, how to get along with classmates, or how to increase self-confidence.

Reporting and monitoring system

CBSE has also added a strong reporting system to this initiative.

Every spoke school will have to send a monthly report to its hub school.

The hub school will collect all these reports and send them to CBSE by the 5th of every month.

Google Form will be used for this, so that the entire process is transparent and easy.

In this way, CBSE will keep getting information every month about how effective the counselling activities were and in which areas improvement is needed.