Maharashtra Board Supports Students With Free Counselling
Ahead of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and Secondary School Certificate (SSC) board exams starting in February–March 2026, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has introduced a free professional counselling service to help students manage anxiety and emotional stress tied to high-stakes assessments. The initiative, offered across all divisional boards including Pune, Nagpur and Mumbai, reflects a growing recognition of student wellbeing as a component of educational outcomes and inclusive educational ecosystems.
With millions of students in India navigating board examinations that often influence higher education and career trajectories, stress and exam-related pressure are widely documented challenges. To address this, MSBSHSE has appointed trained counsellors available via daily tele-counselling from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., aimed specifically at emotional support rather than logistical exam queries. The service also extends to parents seeking guidance on supporting children through the exam period.The board’s decision aligns with broader efforts to integrate mental health support within school systems — an increasingly important aspect of student performance and wellbeing across Indian education sectors. Educators and child psychologists highlight that exam-linked anxiety can dampen academic performance and affect long-term attitudes toward learning, making interventions like these an emerging policy priority. Generic research from other education boards in India shows that stress management services can help reduce absenteeism and improve focus and resilience among adolescents. (Education policy experts)
Officials have stressed that counselling lines are dedicated solely to emotional and psychological support. Students and parents have been advised not to contact these services for questions related to exam centres, seating arrangements, question papers or other administrative matters — logistical queries continue to be handled by respective divisional board offices.The move comes at a time when educational authorities are also introducing other support measures ahead of the 2026 board examinations. For instance, the state board has launched an official YouTube channel and expanded digital outreach to disseminate exam information and rules, aiming to improve communication and reduce uncertainties that can contribute to stress.
Research indicates that well-structured support services, including trained counsellors, can improve student coping mechanisms and reduce the impact of exam pressure on mental health — a concern underscored by educators and parents alike. Attachment of mental health support to core academic processes also reflects a shift in educational governance, where student wellbeing is increasingly seen as integral to fair and equitable outcomes. (Education analysts)
For Maharashtra’s highly competitive academic environment — where millions of students in Class 10 and Class 12 contend with standardised board assessments that shape future academic pathways — such support systems may contribute to a more supportive examination culture. Moving forward, integration of counselling with broader wellbeing curricula and school-level mental health resources could strengthen resilience and equitable performance across diverse student populations.
