CBSE mandates mental health & social emotional learning framework in schools after SC order

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a comprehensive directive to all affiliated schools to strengthen mental health support systems and integrate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into daily academic practices, following the Supreme Court’s judgment dated July 25, 2025, in Criminal Appeal No. 3177/2025.

The move makes structured mental health training, parental sensitisation, institutional reporting and career counselling mandatory, marking a significant shift towards holistic education.

Mandatory Biannual Training for School Staff

Under the new guidelines, all teaching and non-teaching staff must undergo mandatory training at least twice a year. The sessions, to be conducted by certified mental health professionals, will focus on psychological first aid, identification of warning signs, response to self-harm and referral mechanisms.

CBSE has emphasised that teaching, administrative and support staff must be trained to engage with students in a sensitive, inclusive and non-discriminatory manner.

Parent Sensitisation and Mental Health Literacy

Schools have been directed to organise regular sensitisation programmes for parents and guardians. The aim is to discourage undue academic pressure, enable early recognition of psychological distress and promote empathetic and supportive responses.

Mental health literacy, emotional regulation, life skills education and awareness of institutional support services will also be integrated into student orientation programmes and curricular activities.

Annual Wellness Reporting Made Mandatory

As part of accountability measures, schools must maintain anonymous records and prepare annual reports detailing the number of wellness interventions, student referrals, training sessions and other mental health-related initiatives.

Focus Beyond Marks and Rankings

The directive calls for prioritising extra-curricular activities such as sports, arts and personality development programmes. Schools are also required to periodically review examination patterns to cultivate a broader sense of identity among students beyond academic scores and ranks.

Structured Career Counselling Services

CBSE has mandated regular, structured career counselling sessions for students and their parents or guardians. Conducted by qualified counsellors, these sessions will aim to reduce unrealistic academic expectations, increase awareness of diverse career pathways and support informed, interest-based decisions.

The counselling must remain inclusive and sensitive to social, economic and psychological contexts, and must not reinforce narrow definitions of merit or success.

Capacity Building Programmes (CBPs) for Schools

To facilitate implementation, CBSE has urged schools to nominate teachers and staff for dedicated Capacity Building Programmes under Domain-III.

Two one-day (6-hour) programmes are being offered:

Promoting Mental Health and Wellness among Students

Creating supportive and empathetic school environments

Equipping educators to safeguard student mental health

Raising awareness of legal and professional support services

Establishing school-based mental health services

Integrating SEL strategies into subject-specific teaching

Developing actionable plans for SEL implementation

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

This programme focuses on embedding SEL strategies into daily classroom practices to strengthen both emotional well-being and academic success.

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Towards Holistic and Resilient School Ecosystems

The CBSE directive signals a systemic reform in school education, aligning with the Supreme Court’s emphasis on protecting students’ emotional resilience and psychological well-being. Principals and school heads have been requested to actively support the initiative and ensure the timely nomination of staff for the prescribed training programmes.

The initiative underscores a collective responsibility to nurture not only academic excellence but also emotionally secure and resilient learners across the country.