State Award for Teachers honours the dedicated educators of Goa who have raised the quality of school education and shaped the lives of their students. The Directorate of Education, Government of Goa runs this scheme and gives ten state awards, each carrying a cash prize of ₹100,000 along with a citation.
For the 2025-26 academic year, the award is being given under the name CM Vashistha Guru Puraskar. Applications are invited from eligible teachers, special educators and heads of schools across the state, and the selection follows the revised guidelines approved by the State Government on 16 June 2026.
State Award for Teachers - Introduction
State Award for Teachers is a prestigious scheme of the Directorate of Education, Government of Goa. It recognises the finest teachers in the state who, through their commitment and hard work, have improved school education and enriched the lives of their students.
The government presents ten state awards, and each awardee receives a cash prize of ₹100,000 along with a formal citation. The awards are spread across Primary School teachers, Secondary School teachers, High School Headmasters, Higher Secondary teachers and Higher Secondary Principals. Selection happens through a two-tier system involving District and State Selection Committees.
For the 2025-26 cycle the award is being implemented as CM Vashistha Guru Puraskar with the old North Goa and South Goa pattern being followed as approved by the State Government. Teachers who meet the eligibility conditions can apply to their respective Zonal Heads.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | State Award for Teachers (CM Vashistha Guru Puraskar) |
| Level | State |
| State | Goa |
| Category | Education & Learning |
| Benefit Type | Cash Prize |
| Benefit Amount | ₹100,000 plus citation |
| Number of Awards | 10 |
| Nodal Department | Directorate of Education |
| Application Mode | Offline (by hand to Zonal Heads) |
| Official Website | education.goa.gov.in |
Benefits
Monetary Award
Selected awardees receive a cash prize of ₹100,000 along with a formal Citation.
Award Distribution
| Category | Number of Awards |
|---|---|
| Primary Teachers | 2 (One per district) |
| Secondary Teachers | 4 (Two per district) |
| High School Headmasters | 2 (One per district) |
| Higher Secondary Teachers | 1 (State-level) |
| Higher Secondary Principal | 1 (State-level) |
Note: Out of the 10 awards, 1 award is reserved for a differently-abled teacher or Head of School or Special Educator from regular or special schools. Such candidates can apply under any of the categories listed above.
Eligibility
Eligibility for State Award for Teachers has been revised for the 2025-26 cycle. The key conditions are given below.
- School teachers, special educators and heads of schools working in recognised government or aided primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools can apply. In-service teachers must meet the required academic and professional qualifications as per their cadre.
- In-service regular teachers and special educators must have completed at least 15 years of regular teaching service in Goa as on 30 June of the academic year for which they apply. Headmasters must have at least 5 years of administrative experience within these 15 years.
- Contractual teachers, para teachers, part-time instructors and NSQF instructors are not eligible. Teachers due for retirement in the year to which the award relates are also not eligible.
- Applicants should not have indulged in private tuition and should have no vigilance or criminal case pending against them.
Application Process
Applications for State Award for Teachers are submitted offline by hand. The steps are given below.
STEP 1 - Download the prescribed entry form or proforma for CM Vashistha Guru Puraskar from the official website of the Directorate of Education, Goa at education.goa.gov.in.
STEP 2 - Fill in all required fields accurately and prepare a portfolio that includes supporting material such as documents, reports of activities, field visit reports, photographs and audio or video records of your teaching work.
STEP 3 - Submit the completed application form along with the portfolio by hand to your respective Zonal Head as per the active notification for the year.
STEP 4 - Give an undertaking that all information submitted is true to the best of your knowledge, as false information can lead to disciplinary action at a later date.
Note: Teachers who received this award earlier for Excellence in Higher Education are not eligible to re-apply. The District Selection Committee shortlists names three times the number of awards in each category and forwards them to the State Selection Committee with vigilance clearance.
Documents
Candidates need to keep the following documents and supporting material ready while applying.
- A completed entry form or proforma with a passport-sized photograph.
- A portfolio with supporting material like project reports, activity logs, field visit reports, photographs and audio or video records of teaching innovations.
- Educational qualification and experience certificates, official government identity proof, Aadhaar card and valid address proof.
- Verified service record proof showing the required years of regular teaching service.
Evaluation Process
Teachers are evaluated on an evaluation matrix that carries a total of 100 marks. Objective criteria carry 20 marks and cover areas like community and parental contribution, publications, attendance, in-service training and professional growth. Performance-based criteria carry 80 marks and look at teaching effectiveness, use of ICT tools, innovative pedagogy aligned with NEP 2020, curricular and co-curricular initiatives, and efforts toward nation building and social awareness.
References
View Official Guidelines for State Award to Teachers 2025-26
View CM Vashistha Guru Puraskar Notification 2025-26
Download Application Proforma 2025-26
FAQ's
What is the purpose of the State Award for Teachers?
This scheme recognises the unique contribution of the finest teachers in Goa and honours those who have improved the quality of school education and enriched the lives of their students.
What is the prize for the State Award for Teachers?
Each award winner receives a cash prize of ₹100,000 and a formal citation.
How many awards are available and how are they distributed?
There are 10 awards: 2 for Primary Teachers (one per district), 4 for Secondary Teachers (two per district), 2 for High School Headmasters (one per district), 1 for Higher Secondary Teachers and 1 for Higher Secondary Principals. One award is reserved for a differently-abled teacher or Head of School or Special Educator.
Who is eligible to apply for State Award for Teachers?
Regular teachers, special educators and heads of schools in government or aided institutions with at least 15 years of regular service are eligible. Headmasters need 5 years of administrative experience within those 15 years. Retired, contractual, para, part-time and NSQF instructors are not eligible.
How can teachers apply for this award?
Teachers should download the proforma from the Directorate of Education website and submit the completed form along with their portfolio by hand to their respective Zonal Head.
How are the applications evaluated?
Evaluation carries 20 marks for objective criteria and 80 marks for performance-based criteria covering learning outcomes, innovation, use of teaching material and extracurricular leadership.
What is the role of the District Selection Committee?
The District Selection Committee headed by the Deputy Director of Education does the first level scrutiny, physical verification, evaluation and shortlisting of candidates before forwarding them to the State Selection Committee.
What is the role of the State Selection Committee?
The State Selection Committee headed by the Director of Education carries out a fresh assessment of shortlisted nominations, which includes a presentation by each candidate, to select the final awardees.