Ever wondered what it takes for a teacher to earn India’s highest national recognition for school education?

This year, 48 teachers to be honoured on September 5 will have their answer. President Droupadi Murmu will present the National Teachers’ Awards to 48 school teachers at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on September 5, 2026. They represent 27 States, seven Union Territories and six Central Government organisations.

But these awards are about more than a ceremony. They shine a light on teachers who are improving classrooms, supporting students and finding new ways to make learning meaningful.

Here is the complete list, how the teachers were selected and why this year’s recognition matters.

National Teachers’ Awards 2026: Who Are the 48 Teachers Being Honoured?

The 2026 awards recognise school teachers for their contribution to improving education and enriching students’ lives. The Ministry of Education says the 48 teachers were selected through a three-stage process at the District, State and National levels.

The group includes 26 male and 22 female teachers. The official list is not arranged according to merit or rank.

Complete List of 48 Awardees

Source: Ministry of Education/PIB, National Teachers Awards 2026 official list. The list is not arranged in order of merit.

Which States Have the Most Awardees?

Uttar Pradesh has three awardees, the highest representation among states. Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal each have two.

The list also covers a wide range of institutions, including government schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, Sainik Schools and schools affiliated with CBSE and CISCE.

That diversity matters. Teaching excellence can emerge in a metropolitan school, a rural classroom, a residential school or an institution serving a specific community.

How Are the 48 Teachers Selected?

The process begins with online self-nominations. For 2026, eligible teachers could submit their nominations between 15 June and 20 July through the Ministry of Education portal.

Applications then move through District, State/Organisation and National-level evaluation. The guidelines require applicants to submit a portfolio with supporting material such as reports, photographs, tools, audio or video evidence.

The evaluation also puts the focus firmly on performance. Objective criteria carry 10 marks, while performance-based criteria carry 90 out of 100 marks. These include innovative teaching, improved learning outcomes, teaching material, experiential learning, co-curricular activities, mentorship and community engagement.

In short, the award looks at impact, not just experience.

Why Do the National Teachers’ Awards Matter?

The awards were instituted in 1958 to recognise remarkable teachers and headmasters for their contribution to school education and students’ learning experiences.

That legacy still matters.

A teacher may help a struggling child regain confidence. Another may create low-cost teaching tools for a school with limited resources. Someone else may use technology or community participation to improve learning.

These efforts often happen quietly. National recognition gives them a wider platform and can encourage other educators to experiment, innovate and share what works.

For readers interested in how Indian classrooms are changing, TUI’s earlier explainer on NEP 2020 and its impact on Indian classrooms offers useful context.

Why Is Teacher’s Day Celebrated on 5 September?

India observes Teacher’s Day on 5 September, the birth anniversary of Dr. S Radhakrishnan, the philosopher, educationist and former President of India. He served as Vice President from 1952 to 1962 and President from 1962 to 1967.

The origin of the observance is linked to Radhakrishnan himself. According to an official speech by former President Pranab Mukherjee, when admirers wanted to celebrate his birthday after he became President, Radhakrishnan suggested that September 5 instead be observed as Teacher’s Day.

His legacy gives the day a meaning that goes beyond greetings and school functions. Education, in his vision, was closely tied to developing thoughtful and responsible citizens.

Happy Teacher's Day 2026: Why Teachers Are Irreplaceable In This AI Age

The classroom of 2026 is not the classroom many parents remember.

Students can now access digital lessons, online resources and AI tools within seconds. But easy access to information does not automatically create understanding.

Teachers still help students ask better questions, check information, develop critical thinking and use technology responsibly.

President Droupadi Murmu has previously highlighted the changing role of teachers in the technology era and their importance in building an equitable and inclusive society.

TUI has also explored this shift through its coverage of AI entering school-level education. The bigger lesson is clear: technology may change how students learn, but it does not remove the need for a teacher who can guide, challenge and understand them.

A Note on the 2026 Teacher Awards

There is one important distinction for readers.

The 48 school teachers are being recognised under the National Teachers Awards conducted by the Department of School Education & Literacy. Separately, the Department of Higher Education has selected 21 teachers/faculty members from higher education institutions and polytechnics for National Awards to Teachers 2026. Those awards will also be presented by Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan on September 5.

So, the figure of 48 refers specifically to school teachers.

Happy Teacher's Day : More Than a Greeting

The 48 teachers to be honoured on September 5 come from different states, institutions and communities. Their classrooms are different, but the reason for their recognition is the same: they have made a difference.

And that is what Happy Teachers Day should mean in 2026.

Not just a card. Not just a social media post. Not just one day of applause.

It is a reminder that behind every student who learns, questions, creates or finds confidence, there is often a teacher who helped make it possible.

As India celebrates Happy Teacher's Day, the 48 awardees offer a timely reminder that education is ultimately built by people - one classroom, one student and one lesson at a time.