Board exams are stressful. Not just for students, but for you as parents too. You watch your child study late into the night, skip meals, and get anxious over every mock test score. And sometimes, you don't know what to say or how to help without making things worse.
The good news is that CBSE knows this. And they've actually set up something useful this year.
Starting January 6, 2026, CBSE launched free psycho-social counseling services for all Class 10 and 12 students. This isn't just a one-day thing; it runs all the way till June 1, 2026. That means it covers the entire exam season and even the post-result period when kids might need support the most.
What Exactly Is This Service?
Think of it as a support system. If your child is stressed about exams starting on February 17, then there are trained professionals, like principals, counselors, and psychologists, ready to talk. If you're worried about how to handle your anxious teenager, you can call too.
The whole point is to help students deal with exam pressure, fear of failure, time management issues, or just feeling overwhelmed. And it's completely free.
The 24/7 Helpline: Your First Stop
Number to Save Right Now: 1800-11-8004
This toll-free helpline is available round the clock. Midnight panic attack? 3 AM exam worry? Doesn't matter. Someone is available.
When you call, you'll reach an Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) that works in both Hindi and English. This automated system gives you:
- Tips for stress-free exam prep
- Time management techniques
- Answers to common exam-related questions
- Important CBSE contact information
Think of this as your immediate help button. No appointment needed. No waiting. Just dial and get guidance.
When to use the 24/7 helpline:
- Your child is having a late-night anxiety attack
- Quick questions about stress management
- Need immediate calming techniques before an exam
- Want basic information about CBSE procedures
Talking to Real People: The Tele-Counseling Service
Now, if you need to actually talk to a human, like a trained counselor who can have a proper conversation, that's available too.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday
There are 73 trained professionals on this panel. These aren't random volunteers; they're principals, counselors, special educators from CBSE schools, and qualified psychologists. People who understand the system and what students are going through.
And 61 counselors are based in India, but 12 are located in Nepal, Japan, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE. So if your child studies in an Indian school abroad, they're covered too.
When to call for tele-counseling:
- Your child is consistently anxious or depressed
- You need strategies to support your child better
- There's pressure from family or comparison with other kids
- Your child is showing signs of burnout or giving up
- You're seeing changes in behavior, like sleeping too much, not eating, and withdrawing from family
What About Online Resources?
Not everyone likes talking on the phone. Some kids prefer reading and figuring things out themselves.
CBSE has put together a bunch of resources on their website: www.cbse.gov.in
These include:
- Stress management techniques
- Effective study strategies
- Tips for emotional well-being
The board says these are made to be short, engaging, and easy to understand. Not boring PDFs that no one will read.
When to use online resources:
- Your child prefers self-help methods
- You want to read up before calling counselors
- Looking for study techniques and time management tips
- Want resources you can revisit multiple times
When Should You Actually Reach Out?
Don't wait for a crisis. Many parents think counseling is only for "serious" problems. That's not true.
Call if you notice any of these:
In your child:
- Sleeping problems (too much or too little)
- Loss of appetite or stress-eating
- Constant worry about results or comparing with peers
- Talking about feeling hopeless or worthless
- Avoiding studies completely or studying non-stop without breaks
- Physical symptoms like headaches and stomach aches with no medical cause
- Irritability, mood swings, or crying frequently
In yourself as a parent:
- You don't know how to motivate your child without adding pressure
- You're fighting with your child about studies more than usual
- You feel helpless watching them struggle
- You're comparing your child with others, and it's affecting your relationship
- You're more anxious than your child about the exams
What Parents Need to Understand
Your child isn't weak for needing help. Board exams are a big deal in our society. The pressure comes from everywhere: relatives asking about marks, neighbors comparing kids, and social media showing everyone else's success stories.
This counseling service exists because CBSE recognizes that mental health matters as much as marks. It helps kids perform better. A calm, confident student will always do better than an anxious, burned-out one.
Conclusion
You have support. Real, trained, professional support. For free. Available when you need it.
Save that number: 1800-11-8004
Use it. Don't think "let's wait and see" or "they'll manage." If something feels off, make the call. Talk to someone. Get guidance.
Remember, exams are important, but they're not everything. Your child's well-being matters more than any percentage. And sometimes, just knowing that help is available and that someone is ready to listen without judgment makes all the difference.
The service runs till June 1, 2026. That covers the entire exam period and the results aftermath. Use it. It's there for you.
Good luck to all the students giving their boards this year. And parents, you've got support. Don't hesitate to reach out.
Be the first one to comment on this story.