National Teachers Awards 2026: Government invites applications, apply by July 10
The Ministry of Education has invited online applications and nominations for the National Teachers Awards 2026. The process includes staged shortlisting and jury review before the September ceremony.
by India Today Education Desk · India TodayIn Short
- National Teachers Awards 2026 applications open from June 15 to July 10
- Shortlisting at district, regional, state levels from July 14 to 29
- Award ceremony scheduled for September 4 and 5, 2026
The Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education is inviting online applications and nominations for the National Teachers Awards 2026. Eligible teachers can submit their applications through the National Awards Portal between June 15 and July 10, 2026. The official National Awards portal to apply is nationalawardstoteachers.education.gov.in.
The National Teachers Awards are presented annually to recognise outstanding contributions made by teachers towards improving the quality of school education and supporting the holistic development of students.
NATIONAL TEACHERS AWARDS 2026: IMPORTANT DATES
The online self-nomination portal for the National Teachers Awards 2026 will remain open from June 15 to July 10. Teachers must complete the final submission of their nominations between July 11 and 13.
Applications will then undergo district and regional-level shortlisting from July 14 to 21, followed by state and organisation-level screening between July 22 and 29.
Shortlisted candidates will be informed on July 30 and 31, while selected awardees will be notified between August 10 and 20. The rehearsal and award ceremony are scheduled to be held on September 4 and 5, 2026.
| Activity | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Opening of web portal for inviting online self-nominations by teachers | June 15 – July 10, 2026 |
| Final submission of self-nominations by teachers | July 11 – 13, 2026 |
| Constitution of Independent National Jury | Mid-July 2026 |
| Shortlisting by District/Regional Selection Committees | July 14 – 21, 2026 |
| Shortlisting by State/Organisation Selection Committees | July 22 – 29, 2026 |
| Intimation to shortlisted candidates for interaction with Jury | July 30 – 31, 2026 |
| Selection process by Independent National Jury | August 3 – 7, 2026 |
| Finalisation of recommendations by Jury | August 8, 2026 |
| Intimation to selected awardees after approval of the Education Minister | August 10 – 20, 2026 |
| Rehearsal and Award Ceremony | September 4 & 5, 2026 |
NATIONAL TEACHERS AWARDS 2026: HOW TO APPLY
According to the ministry, teachers serving in schools run by the central government, state governments, Union Territory administrations, local bodies and aided and private schools affiliated with recognised boards, are eligible to apply, subject to the prescribed guidelines.
Interested teachers can submit their self-nominations online through the National Teachers Awards portal.
- Ends