New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Awards to Teachers (NAT) on 21 teachers and faculty members from higher education institutions (HEIs) and polytechnics at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on September 5, Teachers’ Day.
This year, 12 awardees are from central higher education institutions, five from state universities and colleges, and four from polytechnics. The state category includes three government and two private institutions, while the polytechnic category has two government and two private institutions.
Selection based on teaching, research and innovation
The nominations for NAT 2026 were invited online through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal between May 26 and July 20. The process allowed self, institutional and peer nominations under the Jan Bhagidari approach.
The awards recognise teachers and faculty members for excellence in areas including teaching and learning, outreach activities, research and innovation, sponsored research, faculty development and consultancy.
The selection process involves two stages. A Preliminary Search-cum-Screening Committee first shortlists candidates, following which a Jury Committee selects the final awardees.
The National Awards to Teachers were expanded in 2023 to include faculty members from higher education institutions and polytechnics. Earlier, the awards were restricted to school teachers.
The expansion was aimed at promoting the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision of creating a culture of excellence in the education sector through greater recognition and incentives for educators.
