CBSE hosts National Adolescent Summit 2025; focus on mental health and digital safety

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) held the National Adolescent Summit 2025 on December 5 at its Dwarka headquarters, bringing together school heads, counsellors and experts to discuss mental health, digital safety and emerging challenges faced by students. The summit was organised under the theme “Empowering Adolescents: Voices, Choices, and Wellbeing”.

The summit opened with a discussion on the current landscape of adolescent wellbeing and the need for school-level support structures. According to the official press release, plenary sessions addressed mental health concerns and online behaviour, including social media use, cyber safety and screen-time habits. Experts also examined issues related to gender sensitivity, bullying, lifestyle choices, substance use and body image.

“The Summit progressed from setting the broader context of adolescent development to addressing core issues such as mental health, digital behaviour, inclusion, lifestyle choices, and future pathways,” the official press release said.

Discussions on school-based wellbeing systems

More than 800 delegates, including over 750 principals, vice-principals, counsellors and wellness teachers from India and abroad, attended the event. Participants from Delhi NCR formed the largest group, followed by Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Representatives also joined from over 20 other states and Muscat, Oman. The sessions were livestreamed on CBSE’s official YouTube channels.

Panel discussions brought together psychologists, health professionals, school leaders and counselling experts to outline practical approaches for strengthening wellbeing services in schools. A dedicated showcase highlighted counselling practices being implemented across institutions.

National Adolescent Summit 2025: Student-led engagement activities

The Youth Engagement segment featured student-led performances, including Nukkad Natak, poetry, mime, a themed dance act titled “I Rise”, and rap pieces on stress and resilience. According to organisers, the segment aimed to present student perspectives on mental wellbeing and create space for peer expression.

Singer Diwakar Sharma addressed the valedictory session, sharing his experiences as a student balancing academics and music. The summit concluded with the release of a summary document outlining a framework for future action across CBSE-affiliated schools.

CBSE said the discussions will inform ongoing initiatives related to safe school environments, counselling systems and adolescent support in line with the National Education Policy 2020.