National Teachers’ Awards 2026: Full List of 48 Awardees, Ceremony Date, Selection Process and Key Facts
India will honour 48 outstanding school teachers with the National Teachers’ Awards 2026. The awards recognise teachers who have transformed classrooms through dedication, creativity and leadership.
President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards on September 5, 2026. The ceremony will be held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
September 5 is celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India. It marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was a respected teacher, philosopher and the second President of India.
The selected teachers represent 27 states, seven Union Territories and six Central Government organisations. The list includes 26 men and 22 women. It is not arranged in order of merit.
Short documentaries showing the work of each award-winning teacher will also be screened during the ceremony. Press Information Bureau
National Teachers’ Awards 2026: Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Award name | National Teachers’ Awards 2026 |
| Number of school teachers selected | 48 |
| Male awardees | 26 |
| Female awardees | 22 |
| Award ceremony date | September 5, 2026 |
| Occasion | Teachers’ Day |
| Venue | Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi |
| Award presenter | President Droupadi Murmu |
| Organising department | Department of School Education and Literacy |
| Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| States represented | 27 |
| Union Territories represented | 7 |
| Central organisations represented | 6 |
| Selection levels | District, state or organisation, and national |
| Award established | 1958 |
What Is the National Teachers’ Award?
The National Teachers’ Award is one of India’s leading honours for school teachers and heads of schools.
It gives national recognition to educators who have improved the quality of school education. It also celebrates teachers whose work has enriched the lives of students.
The award scheme was instituted in 1958. It is administered by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education.
The awards are generally presented by the President or Vice President of India on September 5 every year. National Teachers’ Awards portal
The programme recognises qualities such as:
- Commitment to teaching
- Creative classroom practices
- Effective use of technology
- Improvement in student learning
- Inclusive education
- Community participation
- Educational leadership
- Promotion of experiential learning
- Support for disadvantaged students
- Contribution beyond regular classroom duties
Why Are the Awards Presented on September 5?
September 5 is observed as Teachers’ Day across India.
The date commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was born on September 5, 1888.
Dr. Radhakrishnan was a distinguished scholar and teacher. He later served as India’s first Vice President and second President.
According to popular accounts, his students wanted to celebrate his birthday. He reportedly suggested that the day should instead be dedicated to teachers. India has observed Teachers’ Day on September 5 since 1962.
Complete List of National Teachers’ Awards 2026 Winners
| No. | Teacher | State, UT or Organisation | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | J. Prakash Rao | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | PM SHRI GMSSS Mayabunder, Pokadera |
| 2 | Rajesh Kouluri | Andhra Pradesh | MPPS Chinamallupeta |
| 3 | Yaku Tame | Arunachal Pradesh | Government Secondary School, G-Sector, Naharlagun |
| 4 | Rajesh Bordoloi | Assam | Adarsha Tribal Higher Secondary School, Jorhat |
| 5 | Khushboo Kumari | Bihar | Urdu Primary School Bidaydih |
| 6 | Pushpa Prasad | Bihar | Middle School Kuchaikote Kanya |
| 7 | Radha Rajesh | CISCE | New Horizon Public School, Indiranagar |
| 8 | Sangeeta Yadav | CBSE | St. Joseph’s Convent Senior Secondary School |
| 9 | Ravi Jaiswal | Chandigarh | Government Model High School, Maloya Colony |
| 10 | Sunita Yadav | Chhattisgarh | Government Middle School Khichari |
| 11 | Patel Purnima Mohanlal | Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | GHS Dalwada |
| 12 | Suman Goel | Delhi | GSKV Pooth Kalan |
| 13 | Md. Zafar Alam | Eklavya Model Residential Schools | EMRS Karanjia, Binuria (Tato) |
| 14 | Mahadev Hanamant Shinde | Goa | Gujarati Samaj Special School, Aquem |
| 15 | Nitinkumar Mahendrakumar Pathak | Gujarat | Rangpur Primary School |
| 16 | Anil Kaushik | Haryana | GMSSSS Sanghi, Rohtak |
| 17 | Manjari V. Mahajan | Himachal Pradesh | Government Senior Secondary School, Bhaleth |
| 18 | Mohd. Ayaz Raina | Jammu and Kashmir | HSS Dalhori |
| 19 | Munmun Bhattacharjee | Jharkhand | MS Barmasia |
| 20 | Rathnakumari S. | Karnataka | Government Higher Primary School Samatagaru |
| 21 | Amutha J. | Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan | PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2, Madurai |
| 22 | Dr. Manisha Khetrapal | Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan | PM SHRI KV NFR Rangiya |
| 23 | Sunil Kumar K.P. | Kerala | GHSS Irikkur |
| 24 | Mohd. Mustafa Kumal | Ladakh | Government Middle School Zgangjing, Sankoo |
| 25 | Dr. Archana Shukla | Madhya Pradesh | Government Mahatma Gandhi Sandipani Higher Secondary School, BHEL Bhopal |
| 26 | Shailendra Pratap Singh | Madhya Pradesh | Government Middle School Kanjwar |
| 27 | Dr. Kavita Narsingrao Gitte | Maharashtra | Sane Guruji Niwasi Vidyalaya, Kaij |
| 28 | Kunda Jayawant Bachhav | Maharashtra | NMC School No. 18, Anandwali, Nashik |
| 29 | Wanglembam Gobin Singh | Manipur | Laikon Upper Primary School |
| 30 | Lalnunmawii | Mizoram | Government Electric Veng High School |
| 31 | R. Ronald Meru | Nagaland | GHSS Sechu Zubza |
| 32 | Vaibhav Vasantrao Kulkarni | Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti | PM SHRI Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Latur |
| 33 | Padaraj Umakanta Nayak | Odisha | Government High School Alipingal |
| 34 | Ganesan S. | Puducherry | Viduthalai Veerar R. Seenuvasan Government High School |
| 35 | Dinesh Kumar | Punjab | Government Victoria Girls Senior Secondary School, Patiala |
| 36 | Dr. Divyendu Sen | Rajasthan | Mahatma Gandhi Government School, Pachpahar |
| 37 | Dr. Vartika Gulati | Rajasthan | GGUPS Tumli Ka Bas, Chaksu, Jaipur |
| 38 | Shivprasad Arvind Tingare | Sainik Schools | Sainik School Satara |
| 39 | Sushma Tamang | Sikkim | PM SHRI Government Senior Secondary School, Dikling |
| 40 | Thanga Raj M. | Tamil Nadu | Panchayat Union Primary School, Puliyampatti |
| 41 | Bhavani Bompelly | Telangana | MPPS Girls Gandhari |
| 42 | Ranjan Debnath | Tripura | PM SHRI Sabroom Girls Higher Secondary School |
| 43 | Dr. Renu Tripathi | Uttar Pradesh | Government Balika Inter College, Vijay Nagar, Ghaziabad |
| 44 | Dr. Iftkhar Khan | Uttar Pradesh | Government Inter College, Ballia |
| 45 | Shalini Kushwaha | Uttar Pradesh | Composite School Rasoolabad |
| 46 | Gabar Singh | Uttarakhand | Government UPS Musyakhand |
| 47 | Palash Chowdhury | West Bengal | Sri Ramkrishna Sarada Vidyapith Primary School |
| 48 | Santanu Patra | West Bengal | Government Model School, Nayagram Block |
The complete list covers primary, middle, secondary and senior secondary schools. It includes government schools, special schools, PM SHRI schools and centrally administered institutions. Careers360
Representation Across India
The 2026 list reflects the geographical diversity of India.
Teachers have been selected from remote, rural, tribal and urban regions. The institutions range from small primary schools to senior secondary schools.
Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of awardees among the states, with three teachers.
Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal have two awardees each.
The list also includes teachers from:
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
- Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti
- Central Board of Secondary Education
- Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations
- Eklavya Model Residential Schools
- Sainik Schools
This wide representation shows that educational excellence is not limited to large cities or well-funded institutions.
How Were the National Teachers’ Awards 2026 Winners Selected?
The selection process is designed to be transparent and merit-based.
1. Online self-nomination
Eligible teachers submitted their applications through the National Teachers’ Awards portal.
For the 2026 cycle, online self-nominations were invited from June 15 to July 20, 2026.
Applicants were required to provide details about their teaching career, achievements and educational initiatives.
They could also present evidence of their contribution to students, schools and communities.
2. District or regional-level scrutiny
The applications were first examined at the district or regional level.
The committee checked the eligibility and claims of each applicant.
It also assessed the teacher’s performance and contribution to school education.
3. State or organisation-level evaluation
Shortlisted candidates were considered by the relevant State Selection Committee or Organisation Selection Committee.
Central school organisations followed their prescribed institutional process.
The committees examined the teacher’s work, achievements and supporting records.
4. National-level assessment
The shortlisted nominations then reached an independent national jury.
Candidates could be asked to make a presentation before the jury through video conferencing.
The jury evaluated their work against the prescribed criteria. It then recommended the most deserving candidates for the national award.
Eligibility for the National Teachers’ Awards
According to the official guidelines, teachers and heads of recognised schools may be considered for the award.
Key eligibility conditions include:
- The applicant should be a regular teacher or head of a school.
- The applicant should normally have at least 10 years of regular service.
- Contractual teachers and Shiksha Mitras are not eligible.
- Educational administrators and inspectors are not eligible.
- Staff members of teacher-training institutions are also excluded.
- A teacher should not be involved in private tuition.
- Retired teachers are normally not eligible.
- A teacher who served for at least four months in the relevant calendar year may be considered after retirement, subject to other conditions.
Teachers from recognised primary, middle, secondary and higher secondary schools may apply. The scheme also covers eligible teachers working under approved Central Government school organisations. Official award guidelines
Evaluation Criteria
Applicants are judged on both objective and performance-based criteria.
Objective criteria carry a smaller part of the total score. These may include measurable academic or professional achievements.
Performance-based criteria carry greater weight. They examine the actual influence of the teacher’s work.
Important areas of evaluation may include:
- Innovative experiments in teaching
- Use of low-cost teaching materials
- Technology-enabled education
- Improvement in learning outcomes
- Organisation of extracurricular activities
- Community involvement
- Promotion of national integration
- Support for students with special needs
- Work for socially or economically disadvantaged children
- Creation of a joyful and inclusive classroom
- Development of useful educational resources
- Leadership in improving the school environment
The process focuses on the quality and impact of a teacher’s work. Length of service alone does not guarantee selection.
What Do Award-Winning Teachers Receive?
Each National Teachers’ Award traditionally includes:
- A certificate of merit
- A silver medal
- A cash award of ₹50,000
The recognition also provides a national platform for teachers to share their successful ideas and classroom practices.
Importance of the National Teachers’ Awards
Teachers influence far more than examination results. They build confidence, curiosity and values among students.
In many areas, teachers also help increase enrolment and reduce dropout rates. They introduce digital learning. They support children with disabilities. They encourage girls’ education and connect schools with local communities.
The National Teachers’ Awards highlight these efforts.
The awards serve several important purposes:
- They recognise excellent teachers at the national level.
- They promote innovation in school education.
- They encourage student-centred teaching.
- They give visibility to successful classroom practices.
- They strengthen the public image of the teaching profession.
- They motivate other educators to improve learning.
- They celebrate teachers working in difficult conditions.
- They underline the role of education in nation-building.
Significance for School Education
The 2026 awardee list represents different school systems and regions.
It includes educators from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the east, Ladakh in the north and several northeastern states. It also covers tribal institutions, special schools and rural government schools.
This makes the awards more inclusive.
The presence of teachers from PM SHRI schools also highlights the growing importance of modern infrastructure, experiential learning and technology-supported education.
At the same time, awardees from ordinary government primary and middle schools show that meaningful innovation does not always require expensive resources.
A creative and committed teacher can make learning effective even with limited facilities.
Important Current Affairs Points
- The National Teachers’ Awards were instituted in 1958.
- The awards are connected with school education in India.
- They are administered by the Department of School Education and Literacy.
- The department works under the Ministry of Education.
- The awards are presented on September 5.
- September 5 is celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India.
- The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
- A total of 48 school teachers were selected in 2026.
- The list has 26 male and 22 female teachers.
- Awardees represent 27 states, seven Union Territories and six Central Government organisations.
- President Droupadi Murmu will present the 2026 awards.
- The ceremony will take place at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
- The 2026 selection followed district, state or organisation, and national-level evaluation.
- Short documentaries about the awardees will be screened during the ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teachers were selected for the National Teachers’ Awards 2026?
A total of 48 school teachers were selected.
When will the National Teachers’ Awards 2026 be presented?
The awards will be presented on September 5, 2026.
Where will the award ceremony take place?
The ceremony will be held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Who will present the awards?
President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards.
How many women were selected?
The list includes 22 women.
How many male teachers were selected?
The list includes 26 men.
Which ministry manages the awards?
The Ministry of Education manages the programme through the Department of School Education and Literacy.
When were the National Teachers’ Awards instituted?
The awards were instituted in 1958.
Why are the awards presented on September 5?
September 5 is Teachers’ Day. It is the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
Is the awardee list arranged by merit?
No. The serial order of the list does not represent merit or ranking.
Conclusion
The National Teachers’ Awards 2026 celebrate the people who make learning meaningful.
The 48 selected teachers come from different regions and educational systems. Some serve in remote villages. Others work in tribal, special, urban or centrally managed schools.
Their circumstances may be different. However, they share a common goal. They want to improve the lives of students through education.
The ceremony on September 5 will recognise their hard work. It will also remind the country that committed teachers are central to an educated, inclusive and confident India.