The article authored by Ritika Singh, Executive Director - IC3 Movement, explores the need to broaden career counseling in schools by exposing students to diverse academic pathways and global education opportunities from an early stage. She highlights the importance of helping students identify their interests, understand emerging disciplines and make informed choices between educational opportunities in India and overseas.

Girls are more likely than boys to report happiness at school, but the 2025-26 Student Well-being Pulse Report, published by the IC3 Institute, found they score lower on confidence, calmness and motivation. The report also recorded higher levels of anxiety and frustration among girls, raising questions about how schools understand and address students' emotional well-being beyond academic performance.

Neha Bahl, Executive Director, IC3 Institute, explores the need to make mental health support more accessible to students, highlighting the importance of creating supportive environments where they can seek help and address their emotional well-being. She reinforces IC3’s focus on student well-being and the need to make mental health support an integral part of the education ecosystem.

A joint survey by the IC3 Institute and CISCE reveals that 59% of Class 12 students are dissatisfied with their school life, acting as a wake-up call for the education system. This dissatisfaction is primarily driven by the relentless pressures of board exams, competitive entrance tests, and heavy societal expectations during this pivotal year. The article highlights that prioritizing academic performance over holistic development has stripped away the joy of learning and left many students completely burnt out. The findings serve as a catalyst for systemic change, emphasizing that superficial wellness workshops are no longer sufficient to address this growing crisis.