New Delhi, Jan 30 (IANS): The Central Board of Secondary Education(CBSE) Friday said it will provide pre-examination psychological counselling to students and parents from Feb 2.

In its 18th year, annual counselling is an outreach programme which is carefully designed keeping in mind the heterogeneity of students' population and geographical spread, a CBSE statement said.

"Multiple modes of communication such as telephonic counselling, question answer columns in newspapers and online counselling through CBSE website are used to reach out to more and more examines during this phase," it said.

These services will continue till April 2.

"This year 72 principals, trained counsellors from CBSE affiliated government and private schools and few psychologists will participate in tele-counselling and address exam related psychological problems of the students," it said.

It added that 62 counsellors are from India whereas 10 are located in various countries like Nepal, Saudi Arabia (Al Khobar), Oman, UAE (Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah) and Kuwait.

To access the helpline, students can dial a a toll free number 1800 11 8004 from any part of the country.

CBSE has also provided counselling for specially-abled children to address to their needs and anxiety.

For on-line counselling, directoracad.cbse@nic.in and counseling.cecbse@gmail.com can also be contacted.