Summary
A School Counsellor works with human behaviour and mental health — assessing, supporting and guiding people through structured, evidence-based methods. In India this work sits inside the Education and Training stream: students usually take Any stream in Class 11–12 (subject requirements vary by programme) in Class 11–12, qualify through Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject, and specialise later through work experience or a master's. The sections below set out the study route, the entrance exams, the leading institutes in India and abroad, and the day-to-day reality of the job.
Core skills
- Active listening and empathy
- Test administration and interpretation
- Boundaries and ethical judgement
- Report writing and case documentation
Where you can work
- Hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centres
- Schools, colleges and counselling cells
- Corporate HR, assessment and wellbeing teams
- Private practice, NGOs and tele-therapy platforms
Professional Opportunities
Hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centres
Schools, colleges and counselling cells
Corporate HR, assessment and wellbeing teams
Private practice, NGOs and tele-therapy platforms
Career Path
| Stage | What you study | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| After Class 10 | Any stream in Class 11–12 (subject requirements vary by programme) | 2 years (Class 11–12) |
| Graduation | Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject | 3–4 years |
| After Graduation | Master's degree / PG diploma in a specialisation | 2 years |
| After Post-Graduation | M.Phil. / Ph.D. for research and teaching roles | 3–5 years (optional) |
Important Facts
- Entry qualification: Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject.
- Most institutes ask for 50–60% in the qualifying examination; reserved categories usually get a 5% relaxation.
- Admission is through the entrance exams listed below — national tests plus the state CET where applicable.
- Government and private institutes both offer this route; fee levels differ sharply between them.
- Scholarships listed on the HBK scholarships page apply to most of these programmes.
Leading Institutes in India
| # | Institute | Entrance / Category | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi | RIE CEE | ncert.nic.in |
| 2 | Department of Education, University of Delhi (CIE) | CUET | cie.du.ac.in |
| 3 | Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi — Elementary Education | CUET-UG | lsr.edu.in |
| 4 | Jamia Millia Islamia — Faculty of Education | JMI Entrance | jmi.ac.in |
| 5 | Tata Institute of Social Sciences — School of Education | TISSNET | tiss.edu |
| 6 | Azim Premji University, Bengaluru — School of Education | APU Entrance | azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in |
| 7 | Banaras Hindu University — Faculty of Education | CUET | bhu.ac.in |
| 8 | Regional Institute of Education, Ajmer | CEE | riewa.ac.in |
| 9 | Regional Institute of Education, Bhopal | CEE | riebhopal.nic.in |
| 10 | Ambedkar University Delhi — School of Education Studies | CUET-PG | aud.ac.in |
| 11 | Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda — Faculty of Education and Psychology | University Test | msubaroda.ac.in |
| 12 | Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad — Education | University Test | gujaratvidyapith.org |
| 13 | Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi | IGNOU B.Ed Entrance | ignou.ac.in |
| 14 | Christ University, Bengaluru — School of Education | Christ Entrance | christuniversity.in |
| 15 | SNDT Women's University, Mumbai — Education | University Test | sndt.ac.in |
| 16 | Amity Institute of Education, Noida | Amity Test | amity.edu |
Institutions Abroad
| Institute | Country | Website |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | www.ox.ac.uk/ |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | www.cam.ac.uk/ |
| Harvard University | United States | www.harvard.edu/ |
| University of Toronto | Canada | www.utoronto.ca/ |
| University of Melbourne | Australia | www.unimelb.edu.au/ |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore | www.nus.edu.sg/ |
Entrance Exams
| Exam | Full name | What it admits you to | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTET | Central Teacher Eligibility Test | Eligibility for teaching in central government schools. | ctet.nic.in |
| State TET | State Teacher Eligibility Test | Eligibility for teaching in state government schools. | tat.gseb.org |
| UGC NET | UGC National Eligibility Test | Assistant Professor eligibility and JRF. | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
| CUET-UG | Common University Entrance Test (UG) | B.El.Ed and integrated B.A.-B.Ed programmes. | cuet.nta.nic.in |
| B.Ed Entrance (State) | State B.Ed Common Entrance Test | Bachelor of Education admissions. | gujarat-education.gov.in |
| NCHM / RIE CEE | Regional Institute of Education Common Entrance Examination | Integrated teacher education at RIEs. | cee.ncert.gov.in |
| KVS / NVS Recruitment | Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalaya Teacher Recruitment | Teaching posts in central school systems. | kvsangathan.nic.in |
Work Description
- 01Conduct intake interviews and standardised psychological assessments.
- 02Plan and deliver therapy, counselling or intervention sessions.
- 03Track progress against goals and revise the approach with evidence.
- 04Coordinate with families, schools, doctors or employers as needed.
- 05Maintain confidential case notes and follow professional ethics.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Deeply meaningful, people-centred work
- Rapidly growing demand for mental-health support
- Private practice is realistic after licensing
Cons
- Clinical practice needs RCI-recognised M.Phil / PsyD training
- Emotionally heavy caseloads
- Income builds slowly in the early years
Are you fit for this career?
Take the free HBK psychometric test and see how School Counsellor matches your interests and aptitude.