Career as a School Counsellor in India: Qualifications, Salary and How to Begin

Education & Learning TechnologyBehavioral Health & Teletherapy

Updated

At a glance

A school counsellor supports students with subject and academic choices, emotional wellbeing and career planning, usually with a psychology or counselling degree.

A school counsellor is a trained professional who helps students with academic and subject choices, emotional wellbeing and career planning, usually working inside a school. In India the role typically requires a psychology or counselling degree, with added training in school counselling, and it suits people who listen well and enjoy working with young people.

School counselling has moved up the agenda in 2026. A Times of India report from January said CBSE had revised its affiliation rules to make student counselling mandatory, and India.com reported in March that CBSE had introduced an AI-based assessment for 10,000 school counsellors. If these rules are implemented as reported, more schools will need trained counsellors on staff.

The work is rewarding but not always easy. Counsellors deal with stress, family pressure and sensitive disclosures, and pay and job security depend heavily on the school or board. A Times of India report from October 2026 described salary cuts for school counsellors in a Union Territory, so check the terms of any offer carefully before you accept it.

Minimum Qualification
Graduation plus counselling training
Typical Degree
M.A. or M.Sc. in Psychology or Counselling
Expected Entry Salary
To be confirmed (varies by school)
Entry-level to Senior
Varies by school, board and experience
Job Demand Growth
Rising, with CBSE counselling rules (2026)
Work Hours
Usually school hours, plus events and parent meetings
Places of Work
Schools and counselling centres

What Does a School Counsellor Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Meeting students one-to-one to talk through academic stress, friendships, family pressure and exam anxiety.

  • Helping students choose subjects and streams after Class 10 and plan for Class 12 and beyond.

  • Running career guidance sessions and interest or aptitude assessments, and explaining the results clearly.

  • Working with parents and teachers to plan support for students who are struggling in class or at home.

  • Running group sessions on wellbeing, study skills, bullying prevention and life skills.

  • Identifying students who need urgent help and referring them to specialists, while keeping records confidential.

  • Keeping notes and reports, and reviewing how well the school's guidance programme is working.

Where They Work

Most school counsellors work in schools: CBSE-affiliated private schools, state board schools and central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas. Recruitment is usually done by each school or its governing body, so check the school's own notices. Large school networks such as Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and DAV recruited teaching staff through open notifications in 2026, so watch their official notices for any counsellor posts.

Some counsellors also work with schools through counselling centres or wellbeing programmes, which can offer a different mix of school and community work.

How to Become a School Counsellor in India?

After Class 10

Choose a Class 11 stream that keeps psychology open. Arts and Humanities are the most common route, but many universities accept Science and Commerce students too. Talk to a counsellor early about your options.

After Class 12

Apply for a bachelor's degree in psychology, such as B.A. Psychology or B.Sc. Psychology. Entry is usually based on Class 12 marks and the university's own admission process.

Undergraduate

Complete a three-year bachelor's degree. Use this time to build experience through volunteering with children or young people, internships in counselling settings and psychology practical work.

Postgraduate and Specialisation

Take a two-year M.A. or M.Sc. in Psychology or Counselling, or a diploma in school counselling. A B.Ed helps if you want to work closely with teachers. State bodies such as SCERT Nagaland have run school counselling diploma programmes, so diploma routes exist.

Licence / Certification

Check whether your school or board requires a specific certificate. CBSE has introduced an AI-based assessment for school counsellors, reported in March 2026, so check the current requirements on the CBSE website before you apply.

First Job

Apply to schools with open counsellor posts, or start as an assistant counsellor. Ask about mentoring and supervision when you apply, since supported practice matters a great deal in this work.

You might also
want to explore.

Educational Psychologist

Education & Learning Technology

Career Counsellor

Education & Learning Technology

Academic Counsellor

Education & Learning Technology

Child Psychologist

Behavioral Health & Teletherapy

Educational Psychologist

Education & Learning Technology

Career Counsellor

Education & Learning Technology

Academic Counsellor

Education & Learning Technology

Child Psychologist

Behavioral Health & Teletherapy

Educational Psychologist

Education & Learning Technology

Career Counsellor

Education & Learning Technology

Academic Counsellor

Education & Learning Technology

Child Psychologist

Behavioral Health & Teletherapy

Educational Psychologist

Education & Learning Technology

Career Counsellor

Education & Learning Technology

Academic Counsellor

Education & Learning Technology

Child Psychologist

Behavioral Health & Teletherapy

Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

  • Class 12: most psychology degrees accept any stream, and Arts or Humanities is the most common route.

  • Undergraduate: psychology degrees generally do not need a specific Class 12 subject combination. Check each university's admission criteria.

  • Postgraduate: an undergraduate degree, usually in psychology, is needed for M.A. and M.Sc. programmes. Some programmes accept related degrees.

  • Teaching route: a B.Ed requires a graduate degree. Check the rules set by the national teacher education body before applying.

Minimum Qualification

  • A graduate degree (usually in psychology) plus a postgraduate degree or diploma in counselling or guidance.

  • Minimum marks are set by each university or institute. Check the prospectus for the year you apply.

  • Schools may ask for teaching experience or a B.Ed. This depends on the employer and the board.

Courses and Degrees for School Counsellor

  • Undergraduate Degrees
    • B.A. Psychology (3 years)
    • B.Sc. Psychology (3 years)
    • B.A. in a related field such as Sociology or Education, with psychology papers (3 years)
    Postgraduate Degrees
    • M.A. Psychology (2 years)
    • M.Sc. Counselling Psychology (2 years)
    • M.A. Guidance and Counselling (2 years)
    • B.Ed. Bachelor of Education (2 years, after graduation)
    Diplomas
    • Diploma in School Counselling (typically 1 year)
    • Diploma in Guidance and Counselling (typically 1 year)
    Certifications & Short-term Courses
    • Certified Career Planner programme, Infigon Futures (duration to be confirmed)
    • Short courses in child and adolescent psychology (duration varies)

Skills Required to Become a School Counsellor

Technical Skills

  • Child and adolescent development
  • Psychological assessment and screening tools
  • Career and aptitude test interpretation
  • Basic counselling techniques, including active listening and goal setting
  • Confidential record keeping
  • Awareness of school board guidance rules, including CBSE
  • Basic use of data to track student progress

Soft Skills

  • Empathy and patience
  • Discretion and ethical judgement
  • Clear communication with students, parents and teachers
  • Cultural and language sensitivity
  • Emotional resilience

School Counsellor Salary in India

0-2 years

Entry Level

To be confirmed

  • Typical job titles: School Counsellor, Assistant Counsellor
  • Work: one-to-one sessions, group guidance, and support for students referred by teachers or parents

3-7 years

Mid Level

To be confirmed

  • Typical job titles: Senior School Counsellor, Career Guidance Counsellor
  • Work: leading guidance programmes, training teachers on student wellbeing, and handling complex cases

8+ years

Senior Level

To be confirmed

  • Typical job titles: Head of Counselling, Student Wellbeing Coordinator
  • Work: setting the school's counselling policy, managing a team, and working with parents and external specialists

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

School Counsellor

Supports students with academic, emotional and career concerns in a school.

Career Guidance Counsellor

Focuses on subject choices, entrance exam paths and career options for students in Class 9 to 12 and beyond.

Academic Counsellor

Guides students on courses, study plans and academic progress, often in colleges or coaching institutes.

Student Wellbeing Coordinator

Plans and runs wellbeing programmes across a school, including staff training.

Educational Psychologist

Assesses learning needs and advises on support plans, usually after further training in psychology.

Child Psychologist

Works with children on emotional and behavioural concerns, usually after postgraduate clinical training.

Teacher Trainer

Trains teachers in classroom wellbeing and student support skills.

Scope and Future of School Counsellor in India

Demand for school counsellors is likely to grow. A Times of India report from January 2026 said CBSE had revised its affiliation rules to make student counselling mandatory, and a July 2026 Times of India headline described CBSE's new policy as treating counselling as 'an integral part of school education, not an add-on'. If schools must provide counselling, they will need more trained people to deliver it.

Public attention is also growing. An ETV Bharat report from September 2025 said that only 10% of Indian students receive career guidance, and experts argued that AI cannot replace human career counsellors. In 2026, CBSE's AI-based assessment for 10,000 school counsellors suggests the board is also looking at how counsellor quality is measured. Counsellors who combine psychology training with career and digital tools are well placed for this change.

Pay and job security are the main risks. A Times of India report from October 2026 described salary cuts for school counsellors in a Union Territory, so check each employer carefully. Opportunities in international schools may exist, but qualification rules differ by country and should be checked before you plan a move.

Is School Counsellor
the Right Career for You?

School Counsellor can be an exciting career, but the right choice depends on more than academic eligibility.

Interests

What excites you?

Aptitude

What are you good at?

Personality

How do you work?

Work Preferences

What kind of environment suits you?

Discover careers that match your interests, strengths and preferences.

See how well this career fits you

Related Careers

More careers in Education & Learning Technology that students read about.

Corporate Trainer

Corporate Trainer

Education & Learning Technology

Teacher Trainer

Teacher Trainer

Education & Learning Technology

Librarian

Librarian

Museum, Archival & Heritage Preservation

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designer

Education & Learning Technology

Curriculum Developer

Curriculum Developer

Education & Learning Technology

Historian

Historian

Museum, Archival & Heritage Preservation

School Counsellor: Frequently Asked Questions

Is a school counsellor the same as a teacher?

No. A teacher delivers the curriculum to a class, while a school counsellor works with individual students and small groups on academic choices, emotional wellbeing and career planning. Some counsellors have teaching experience or a B.Ed, and some schools prefer it, but the day-to-day work is different. Counsellors also work with teachers and parents to support students who are struggling, rather than running lessons.

What degree do I need to become a school counsellor in India?

Most school counsellors hold a bachelor's degree, usually in psychology, followed by a postgraduate degree such as an M.A. or M.Sc. in Psychology or Counselling, or a diploma in school counselling. Some employers also value a B.Ed. Requirements differ by school and board, so check the job notice before you apply. Starting with a bachelor's in psychology after Class 12 is the most direct route.

Do I need an entrance exam to become a school counsellor?

School counsellors are usually hired by schools through interviews and notices, not through a single entrance exam. Your path into the degree may involve entrance tests at some universities, especially for postgraduate courses. Check the admission rules for each programme you are considering, and confirm the exact requirements with the institution.

Can I become a school counsellor after B.Ed?

A B.Ed alone usually does not qualify you as a school counsellor, because counselling needs training in psychology and guidance. However, many teachers take a diploma or master's in counselling after their B.Ed, and this combination helps them work with both students and teachers. Some employers may accept teaching experience in place of a counselling qualification, so check the requirements of each school or board.

How much does a school counsellor earn in India?

Pay depends on the school, the board, your experience and your city, and it can change. Salary figures for this career are still being verified, so check current salary data before making a decision. A Times of India report from October 2026 described salary cuts for school counsellors in a Union Territory, which shows that employers can reduce pay. Compare offers carefully and ask how pay is set.

Is school counselling a good career in India?

It can be, if you enjoy working with young people and can be patient with slow progress. Demand is expected to grow as CBSE's 2026 rules place more weight on counselling in schools. The work can be emotionally demanding, and pay and job security vary a lot between employers. Related options include academic counselling, educational psychology and teacher training, so your skills carry over.

What skills make a good school counsellor?

Strong listening, empathy and discretion matter most, because students often share sensitive problems. You also need a good grasp of child and adolescent development, basic assessment tools and career guidance methods. Clear communication with parents and teachers helps you work as a team. Strong ethics around confidentiality, and the judgement to recognise when a student needs urgent referral, are essential.

Book a Free Counselling Session to Know Your Perfect Career Fit!