Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 24: President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Awards to Teachers (NAT) on 21 teachers and faculty members from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and polytechnics on September 5, observed as Teachers’ Day, an official statement said on Monday.
This year, 12 teachers/faculty members from central HEIs, five from state universities and colleges, and four from polytechnics have been selected for the awards.
Of the five awardees from state institutions, three are from government colleges and two from private colleges. Among the four polytechnic awardees, two are from government and two from private institutions.
Nominations for NAT 2026 were invited online through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at awards.gov.in. The process included self, institutional and peer nominations as part of the Jan Bhagidari initiative.
Nominations were invited from May 26 to July 20, 2026.
The awards are presented to exemplary teachers and faculty members based on their performance across several parameters, including teaching-learning effectiveness, outreach activities, research and innovation, sponsored research, faculty development programmes and consultancy teaching.
The selection process involves two stages. A Preliminary Search-cum-Screening Committee first evaluates and shortlists nominees, following which a Committee of Jury selects the final awardees from the shortlisted candidates.
In 2023, the government decided to introduce two categories of awards for HEIs and polytechnics under the National Awards to Teachers. Until then, the awards were conferred only on school teachers.
The scope of the awards was expanded in line with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises incentives such as rewards and recognition to promote a culture of excellence across the education ecosystem.
As part of the annual tradition, the Ministry of Education organises a national-level function on Teachers’ Day, observed on September 5, to honour the best teachers in the country.
The National Teachers’ Awards seek to recognise the distinctive contributions of outstanding teachers and honour those who, through their commitment and dedication, have helped improve the quality of education and enriched the lives of their students.