The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared a programme of orientation for school counselors and principals of schools on the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). It will help have a clear conception of the structure of CUET and its use in undergraduate admission. The meeting is to be held on 17 April, 2025, from 10 AM till 2 PM in the CBSE Integrated Office auditorium Dwarka, New Delhi.

As per CBSE, the orientation programme aims to provide school teachers with in-depth information regarding CUET and its impact on students who wish to pursue higher studies. The session will discuss different aspects of the entrance test, such as its pattern, major components, and preparation tips. Through this session, school principals and counsellors will be well-equipped to guide students through the CUET process, helping them make the right choices regarding their future studies.

This move is in accordance with the suggestions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which puts strong focus on developing career guidance in schools. The NEP stresses the need to offer students properly structured guidance so that they can select appropriate career options. As a response to this, CBSE plans to train school teachers so that they can appropriately respond to students’ questions about CUET and guide them in selecting the proper subjects according to their career goals.

Under this programme, principals and counsellors will learn about CUET eligibility criteria, the pattern of the exam, and university admission rules. They will also learn how to guide students in coping with exam stress, building confidence, and performing better. Teachers will also be familiarized with effective preparation techniques, such as suggested study plans and materials that can be utilized by students to enhance their prospect of success in CUET.

Another important component of the programme will be improving the communication skills of principals and school counsellors. The skill to offer clear and constructive advice to students is very important, particularly while explaining the intricacies of the CUET exam. By enhancing their communication skills, teachers will be able to provide improved assistance to students, keeping them motivated and engaged throughout the preparation process.

CBSE has opened the registrations for the programme, which enables interested principals and counsellors of schools to register themselves through a given link. Participation is, however, restricted to 350 delegates and will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Shortlisted participants will be given confirmation emails for their places in the orientation session.

The CUET UG exam is likely to be conducted from May 8, 2025, to June 1, 2025. The additional information on the exam cities and admit cards will be provided later. This national-level entrance examination will be held in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu, making it accessible to students of different linguistic backgrounds.

The launch of CUET as a common entrance test has revolutionized the process of undergraduate admissions in different central universities and other participating institutions. Through this orientation programme, CBSE is taking a big step towards making teachers well aware of CUET so that they can offer useful guidance to students. As competition for seats in higher education grows year by year, right guidance from school principals and counsellors can prove to be a game-changer in the academic lives of students.

With the CUET UG 2025 exam drawing near, students, parents, and teachers are likely to gain from this move. CBSE’s emphasis on systematic career guidance through this orientation is part of larger educational reforms to make the admission process more streamlined and student-centric. Schools nationwide are urged to avail themselves of this opportunity to enhance their counselling system and provide students with the best possible guidance for future studies.