National Teachers Awards 2026: President Murmu to Honour 48 Teachers on Teachers' Day

President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Teachers Awards 2026 on 48 school teachers at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on September 5, marking Teachers’ Day. The teachers have been selected from different parts of the country for their contributions towards improving school education and creating meaningful learning experiences for students.

The 48 awardees represent 27 states, seven Union Territories and six Central Government organisations. The group includes 26 male teachers and 22 female teachers. Short documentaries highlighting the work and contributions of each awardee will also be showcased during the ceremony.

The National Teachers Awards are organised annually by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education. The awards recognise teachers who have demonstrated innovation, dedication and sustained efforts towards improving the quality of education and positively influencing students' lives.

The selection process for the 2026 awards involved multiple stages, including district, state and national-level scrutiny. Teachers submitted nominations online, following which shortlisted candidates went through further assessment and interaction with an independent national jury.

The awardees represent a wide range of educational innovations and initiatives across India.

In Assam, one of the award-winning teachers has worked extensively with first-generation Mishing tribal students, using activity-based learning, digital tools and multilingual teaching methods to make subjects more accessible. The teacher also introduced a digital literacy initiative that encouraged students to help their mothers develop technology skills.

Inclusive education is another major area represented among the awardees. A special educator from Goa has spent nearly three decades working with children with disabilities and developing learning resources, teacher handbooks and digital education tools. The educator has also promoted initiatives such as hydrotherapy, home-based learning, vocational education and adaptive sports.

Technology and low-cost innovation have also played a major role in the work of several teachers selected for the National Teachers Awards 2026. An educator from Gujarat transformed a resource-constrained tribal government school by developing computer facilities, immersive learning spaces, an offline school server and a student journalism platform.

Digital education initiatives developed by teachers have also helped expand access to learning materials beyond individual classrooms. Projects involving QR-based educational content and accessible digital resources have reached large numbers of students.

In Rajasthan, innovative methods have been used to make science education more interactive through virtual laboratories, artificial intelligence-based learning tools and QR-code-supported botanical education. Students mentored through these initiatives have also participated in national and international science programmes.

Environmental education is another area highlighted by the 2026 awardees. A school leader in Himachal Pradesh has promoted activity-based learning alongside waste management, composting, water conservation and biodiversity initiatives. Students have also participated in projects aimed at promoting sustainability and preserving traditional local crafts.

Teachers working towards girls' education and digital learning have also been recognised. In Tripura, educational initiatives involving smart classrooms, experiential learning and environmental activities have supported students, including girls from rural and tribal communities.

Several awardees have focused on making classrooms more inclusive through low-cost teaching material, digital content and hands-on learning. Their work has included efforts to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy while supporting students from diverse social and educational backgrounds.

The National Teachers Awards scheme was introduced in 1958 to recognise meritorious teachers working at the primary, middle and secondary school levels. The awards are traditionally presented on September 5 each year.

The 48 teachers selected for the 2026 awards are being recognised for contributions across several areas, including technology-based learning, foundational education, special education, tribal and multilingual learning, girls' empowerment, environmental awareness and community engagement.

Separate National Awards to Teachers 2026 will also recognise 21 teachers and faculty members from higher education institutions and polytechnics on Teachers’ Day.