Ministry of Education invites nominations for National Awards to Teachers 2026

The Ministry of Education has opened nominations for the National Awards to Teachers 2026 for faculty members from higher educational institutions and polytechnics across the country.

The Department of Higher Education invited applications through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at awards.gov.in, with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) serving as the institutional partner for the awards.

The initiative aims to honor outstanding teachers and faculty members from both technical and non-technical institutions for their contribution to higher education.

According to the ministry, Category I of the awards is meant for teachers working in higher educational institutions and has been divided into three sub-categories.

These include Engineering, Technology, Architecture and allied fields; Pure Sciences such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Medicine and Pharmacy; and disciplines including Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages, Legal Studies, Commerce, and Management.

The ministry said the listed disciplines are indicative in nature and may also include emerging areas of knowledge linked to higher education.

Category II of the awards will recognize teachers and faculty members from Polytechnic institutions.

The awards are open to regular faculty members employed in colleges, universities, higher educational institutions, and polytechnics who meet the eligibility conditions laid down by the ministry.

Applicants must have a minimum of five years of full-time teaching experience at the undergraduate or postgraduate level and should not be older than 55 years on the final date of nomination submission.

The ministry clarified that Vice-Chancellors, Directors, and Principals, whether serving in a regular or officiating capacity, are not eligible to apply.

However, individuals who previously held such posts and are currently engaged in active teaching service while being below 55 years of age may submit nominations.

Nominations can be filed through self-nomination, recommendation by heads of institutions, or peer nominations by colleagues from the same institution where the nominee is employed.

All applications must be submitted online in the prescribed format through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal. The deadline for submitting nominations is July 5, 2026.

For assistance related to the application process, candidates can contact AICTE through email at [email protected] or call 011-29581051 and 011-29581123 between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm.