National Teachers Awards 2026: Apply online by July 10, awards on Sept 5
Synopsis
The Ministry of Education has opened nominations for the National Teachers Awards 2026 with a July 10 deadline — and a tightly structured selection calendar that ends with the awards ceremony on Teachers' Day, 5 September. Last year, 45 educators from metros to remote villages were honoured by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan.
Key Takeaways
Applications for the National Teachers Awards 2026 are open on the National Awards Portal until 10 July 2026 .
Teachers in Central government, state, UT, local body, aided, and private schools affiliated with recognised boards are eligible.
An independent National Jury will finalise awardees by 8 August ; selected teachers will be notified by 20 August 2026 .
Awards will be conferred on 5 September 2026 — Teachers' Day — marking the birth anniversary of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan .
In 2025 , President Droupadi Murmu honoured 45 teachers — 24 male and 21 female — at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi .
The Union Ministry of Education's Department of School Education and Literacy has announced that online applications and nominations for the National Teachers Awards 2026 are open until 10 July 2026, according to an official statement issued on Thursday, 25 June. Teachers across government, aided, and private schools affiliated with recognised boards are eligible to apply through the National Awards Portal.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include teachers serving in schools run by the Central government, state governments, Union Territory administrations, local bodies, and in aided and private schools affiliated with recognised boards. Applications must be submitted online via the National Awards Portal between 15 June and 10 July 2026. Detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria, and the evaluation process are available on the portal.
Selection Timeline and Process
The Ministry has outlined a structured, multi-stage selection process with firm deadlines. An independent national jury to evaluate nominations will be constituted by mid-July. Shortlisting by District and Regional Selection Committees is to be completed by 21 July, followed by shortlisting by State and Organisation Selection Committees by 29 July. Shortlisted candidates will be intimated for jury interaction by 31 July.
The National Jury will finalise awardees by 8 August, and selected teachers will be officially informed by 20 August 2026.
What the Award Recognises
The National Teachers Awards are conferred annually on 5 September, observed as Teachers' Day, to mark the birth anniversary of philosopher and former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. The awards recognise outstanding contributions to improving the quality of school education and promoting the holistic development of students.
Last Year's Ceremony
At the 2025 edition, President Droupadi Murmu felicitated 45 exceptional educators at a special ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The cohort comprised 24 male and 21 female teachers drawn from schools in metro cities, towns, and remote villages — all selected through a rigorous three-stage evaluation for their innovation and measurable impact on student learning.
President Murmu had commended the awardees for transforming classrooms and preparing students to become capable citizens. She also stressed the importance of investing in girls' education, describing it as an invaluable contribution to building family, society, and the nation.
What's Next
With the application window closing on 10 July, eligible teachers are advised to complete their submissions well in advance. The awards ceremony is expected to be held on 5 September 2026, in keeping with the annual tradition on Teachers' Day.
Point of View
Multiple committees, and a hard August deadline — is more rigorous than most state-level recognitions. What the Ministry has not detailed publicly is how 'innovation and impact on student learning' are quantified at the jury stage, a gap that has drawn quiet criticism from educators in past cycles. With 45 awardees drawn from a teacher workforce of over 95 lakh, the ratio of recognition remains thin. Expanding the cohort or creating regional tiers could amplify the award's motivational reach without diluting its prestige.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to apply for the National Teachers Awards 2026?
The deadline to submit applications and nominations for the National Teachers Awards 2026 is 10 July 2026 . Applications must be submitted online through the National Awards Portal, which opened on 15 June 2026.
Who is eligible to apply for the National Teachers Awards 2026?
Teachers serving in schools run by the Central government, state governments, Union Territory administrations, local bodies, and in aided or private schools affiliated with recognised boards are eligible. Applicants must meet the criteria detailed in the guidelines available on the National Awards Portal.
When and where will the National Teachers Awards 2026 be presented?
The awards are scheduled to be conferred on 5 September 2026 , observed annually as Teachers' Day to mark the birth anniversary of philosopher Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. The venue has not yet been officially announced.
How are the National Teachers Award recipients selected?
Selection follows a three-stage process: District and Regional Selection Committees shortlist by 21 July, State and Organisation Selection Committees complete their shortlisting by 29 July, and an independent National Jury finalises awardees by 8 August. Selected teachers are notified by 20 August.
How many teachers were awarded in 2025 and who presented the awards?
In 2025, President Droupadi Murmu conferred national awards on 45 teachers — 24 male and 21 female — at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The awardees were chosen from schools in metro cities, towns, and remote villages through a rigorous three-stage evaluation.
