National Teachers Award 2026: 21 higher education, polytechnic faculty to be honoured on September 5

President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Awards to Teachers (NAT) 2026 on 21 teachers and faculty members from higher education institutions (HEIs) and polytechnics at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on September 5.

The awardees have been selected from central higher education institutions, state universities and polytechnics for their contributions to teaching, research, innovation and outreach.

21 faculty members selected

According to official information, the awardees include:

• 12 faculty members from central higher education institutions
• 5 faculty members from state universities — three government and two private
• 4 faculty members from polytechnics — two government and two private

The awards recognise exemplary teachers and faculty members whose work has contributed to improving the quality of education.

How were the awardees selected?

Nominations for NAT 2026 were invited online through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal between May 26 and July 20, 2026.

The process allowed self, institutional and peer nominations under the 'Jan Bhagidari' approach.

Candidates were evaluated on parameters including:

• Teaching-learning effectiveness
• Research and innovation
• Outreach activities
• Sponsored research
• Faculty development programmes
• Consultancy and teaching contributions

The selection was conducted in two stages. A Preliminary Search-cum-Screening Committee first shortlisted the nominees, following which a Committee of Jury selected the final awardees.

Awards aligned with NEP 2020

The National Awards to Teachers for HEIs and polytechnics were introduced in 2023, with two award categories created under the broader National Awards to Teachers framework.

The initiative is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises creating a culture of excellence in education through incentives, rewards and recognition.

The September 5 ceremony will therefore recognise teachers not only for classroom teaching but also for their contributions to research, innovation, institutional development and the wider education ecosystem.