The government has announced the National Teachers Awards 2026 for 48 school teachers in recognition of their outstanding contribution to school education and literacy. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards on September 5, celebrated across India as Teachers' Day. The selected teachers have been recognised for their dedication, commitment and efforts to improve the quality of education and make a meaningful difference in the lives of students.
According to the Department of School Education and Literacy, the 48 awardees represent 27 states, seven Union Territories and six central government organisations.
National Teachers Awards 2026: Selected Teachers
26 are men and 22 are women of the selected teachers. The awardees come from different types of educational institutions. These include Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Sainik Schools, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, PM SHRI schools and other institutions.
The following are among the teachers selected for the National Teachers Awards 2026:
- J Prakash Rao from Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Rajesh Kouluri from Andhra Pradesh
- Yaku Tame from Arunachal Pradesh
- Rajesh Bordoloi from Assam
- Suman Goel from Delhi
- Zafar Alam from an Eklavya Model Residential School under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs
President Murmu to Confer National Teachers Awards
President Droupadi Murmu will honour the 48 teachers at a special ceremony on September 5. The day is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India to recognise the important role teachers play in shaping students and society.
The Ministry said the purpose of the awards is to celebrate the exceptional contribution of some of the country's finest teachers. These educators, through their commitment and hard work, have strengthened school education amd positively influenced the lives of their students.
Short documentaries showcasing the exemplary work and contributions of each awardee will also be presented during the event.
National Teachers Awards 2026 Selectiofn Process
The 48 teachers were selected through a three-stage process conducted at the district, state and national levels by the Department of School Education and Literacy.
The list also includes teachers from Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Ladakh and other regions.
The National Teachers Awards 2026 will once again put the spotlight on teachers whose work goes beyond classrooms and continues to inspire and transform young lives.
