Ministry of Education runs National Awards to Teachers (Higher Education) every year to honor exceptional faculty members of colleges, universities, higher educational institutions and polytechnics across India. For the 2026 cycle, the Department of Higher Education invited nominations on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at awards.gov.in from 26 May 2026, and the last date for sending nominations was 5 July 2026. The selection process is now underway, and the winners will be honored on 5 September 2026, which is Teachers' Day.
Selected teachers get a medal, a certificate and a cash prize of ₹50,000. A total of 35 awards are given every year, 25 in Category-I for higher educational institutions and 10 in Category-II for polytechnics. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is the institutional partner for these awards.
National Awards to Teachers (Higher Education) - Introduction
The award recognizes the distinctive contributions of the finest faculty members in the country. It honors their steady dedication and hard work in teaching and pedagogy, which has improved the quality of higher education and enriched the lives of students. Achievements in research, innovation, student mentorship, institutional development and community outreach are also covered under this award.
The 2026 nomination portal was launched by AICTE on 26 May 2026. Faculty members can nominate themselves, or a former or existing Vice-Chancellor, Director, Principal, faculty member or colleague of the same institution can send a nomination. Members of the Search-cum-Screening Committee can also suggest outstanding faculty members on their own. Jury members cannot nominate anyone for this award.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Awards to Teachers (Higher Education) |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Education & Learning |
| Target Beneficiaries | University / Institution, Individual |
| Sub Category | Universities and higher education |
| Benefit Type | Composite |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Total Awards | 35 every year (25 Category-I + 10 Category-II) |
| Cash Prize | ₹50,000 |
| 2026 Nomination Dates | 26 May 2026 to 5 July 2026 |
| Award Ceremony | 5 September 2026 (Teachers' Day) |
| Official Website | awards.gov.in |
Award Categories
The awards are divided into two categories. Category-I is for faculty members of colleges, universities and higher educational institutions, while Category-II is for teachers of polytechnic institutes. Under Category-I, the awards cover three broad disciplines:
- Engineering and Technology, and Architecture.
- Pure Sciences, including Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Medicine and Pharmacy.
- Arts and Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Legal Studies, Commerce and Management.
Benefits
Selected faculty members are honored with a prestigious medal, an official certificate and a cash prize of ₹50,000. The award ceremony is held every year on 5 September, on Teachers' Day.
Eligibility
The award is open to regular faculty members of colleges, universities, higher educational institutions and polytechnics in India who meet the conditions given below.
A nominee must be a regular faculty member with at least five years of full-time teaching experience at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. The nominee should not be above 55 years of age as on the last date of receiving nominations. Vice-Chancellors, Directors and Principals, whether regular or officiating, are not eligible to apply. However, individuals who have held such positions earlier, are below 55 years of age and are still in active service are eligible.
Exclusions
Self-nomination is allowed for this award, so that is not a restriction anymore. The exclusions that still apply are: members of the award jury cannot make nominations, and nominations sent after the last date are not considered.
Application Process
For the 2026 cycle, nominations were invited on the National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in. The same process will be followed for the next cycle, and the steps are given below.
STEP 1 - Go to the official website at awards.gov.in and click on the 'Registration' button to create an account on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal. Choose the 'Individual' category and fill in your name as per Aadhaar, date of birth, contact number, email and Aadhaar number.
STEP 2 - Login to the portal using your credentials and select 'National Award to Teachers 2026' from the list of ongoing nominations.
STEP 3 - Choose the nomination mode. Faculty members can nominate themselves, or the nomination can be sent by a former or existing Vice-Chancellor, Director, Principal, faculty member or colleague of the same institution.
STEP 4 - Fill in all the required fields in the nomination form with accurate personal, professional and achievement details, then submit the application before the last date.
Selection Process
The selection is done in two steps. A Preliminary Search-cum-Screening Committee first shortlists the candidates, and then a five-member Jury comprising eminent academicians and academic leaders finalises the awardees from the shortlisted candidates.
Documents
You should keep these documents ready for the nomination process:
- Completed nomination form.
- Detailed curriculum vitae (CV) of the nominee.
- Detailed description of the nominee's achievements and contributions.
- Supporting documents such as research papers, patents, certificates, testimonials and letters of recommendation.
- A copy of the Aadhaar card.
- A recent photograph.
References
- Official Website - Rashtriya Puraskar Portal
- National Award to Teachers 2026 - Award Details
- AICTE Press Release on National Awards to Teachers 2026
- Registration Link
FAQ's
What are the National Awards to Teachers?
This scheme recognizes the contributions of faculty members who have improved the quality of higher education and enriched student lives through their dedication to teaching, research and community service. Faculty members looking for more opportunities can also read about the UGC Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members and the UGC Emeritus Fellowship.
How many awards are given every year?
A total of 35 awards are given every year, 25 in Category-I for higher educational institutions and 10 in Category-II for polytechnics.
What is the cash prize?
Each awardee receives a medal, a certificate and a cash prize of ₹50,000.
Is self-nomination allowed?
Yes. Since 2026, faculty members can nominate themselves. Nominations can also be sent by a former or existing Vice-Chancellor, Director, Principal, faculty member or colleague of the same institution.
Who is not eligible to apply?
Vice-Chancellors, Directors and Principals, whether serving in a regular or officiating capacity, are not eligible. But those who held such positions earlier, are below 55 years of age and are still in active service can apply.
Is there an age criterion?
Yes. The nominee should not be above 55 years of age as on the last date of receiving nominations.
Can the award jury nominate candidates?
No. Members of the award jury are not permitted to make nominations.
Can a teacher be nominated again?
Yes. Individuals can be re-nominated in different cycles if they meet the eligibility criteria.
When is the award ceremony held?
The ceremony is held every year on 5 September on Teachers' Day. For 2026, the winners will be honored on 5 September 2026.
When were the 2026 nominations open?
The nomination portal was launched on 26 May 2026, and the last date for sending nominations was 5 July 2026.
What documents are required for the application?
You need the nomination form, a detailed CV, a description of the nominee's work, supporting evidence such as research papers or testimonials, an Aadhaar card and a photograph.