The Ministry of Education is accepting nominations for the National Awards to Teachers 2026. These awards recognize faculty from higher education institutions and polytechnics. The nomination period is now open. The deadline to submit applications is July 5, 2026 .
Award Categories
Nominations are open for two main categories: Higher Educational Institutions and Polytechnic Institutions.
Category I: Teachers of Higher Educational Institutions
This category has three sub-categories:
- Sub-category (i): Engineering & Technology, Architecture, and similar fields.
- Sub-category (ii): Pure Sciences, including Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Medicine, and Pharmacy.
- Sub-category (iii): Arts and Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Legal Studies, Commerce, and Management.
This list is not exhaustive. It includes emerging knowledge domains in higher education.
Category II: Teachers of Polytechnic Institutions
This award recognizes exemplary teachers and faculty members from polytechnic institutions.
Eligibility Criteria
Nominees must be regular faculty members. They must work in colleges, universities, higher educational institutions, or polytechnics in India. Applicants need a minimum of five years of full-time teaching experience. This experience can be at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.
The age limit for applicants is 55 years as of the nomination submission deadline. Individuals who previously held positions like Vice-Chancellor, Director, or Principal are eligible if they are under 55 and currently in active service. Current Vice-Chancellors, Directors, and Principals are not eligible to apply.
Nomination Process
Nominations can be submitted online. All submissions must use the prescribed format on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal: awards.gov.in .
There are three modes for nominations:
- Self-Nomination: Individuals can nominate themselves.
- Institutional Nomination: Heads of Higher Educational Institutions/Polytechnics can nominate faculty. This includes Directors, Principals, and Vice-Chancellors.
- Peer Nomination: Colleagues from the same university, institute, college, or polytechnic can nominate a faculty member.
Key Dates
The last date for submitting nominations is July 5, 2026 .
