To tackle this, the Gujarat Secondary Education Board (GSEB) has come up with a toll free helpline to assist students overcome examination jitters.

The helpline number is 1800 233 5500. It will be functional from March 2 from 8 am to 8 pm. Students can also direct their exam related queries on this number.

P B Gadhvi, District Education Officer (DEO), Ahmedabad city, told Newsline: “Such helplines have doctors, psychiatrists and academic experts to advise the students. The principals and teachers of schools also have a crucial role to play in this.”

The Ahmedabad District Education Office has been providing counselling to students for the last two years. This year also it would set up a helpline with assistance from doctors of the Kanoria Hospital.

Reiterating the need for both pre and post exam counselling, Mrs Amita Saxena, a psychologist and a visiting lecturer, said: “The sheer burden of expectations on students during exams makes counselling a necessity. These centres should be ideally put into place much before the exams, as this would help in reducing the number of suicides to a great extent.”

She added that post-exam counselling, especially at the time of results, is crucial provided the students approach the right person for guidance.