Education ministry invites nominations for National Awards to Teachers 2026 for HEIs, Polytechnics

The Ministry of Education has invited nominations for the National Awards to Teachers 2026 for the Higher Educational Institutions (HEI) and Polytechnics. The nomination link for the National Awards to Teachers (HEIs and Polytechnics) can be accessed through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at awards.gov.in.

According to the official notification, the nomination window for the National Awards to Teachers 2026 will be open until July 5. Nominations for National Awards to Teachers 2026 can be submitted online through self-nomination, institutional nomination by heads of institutions, and peer nomination by colleagues from the same institution, it read.

The award aims to recognise exemplary teachers and faculty members from technical and non-technical higher educational institutions as well as polytechnic institutes across India for their outstanding contribution to teaching and academic excellence, it said.

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National Award Teachers 2026: Eligibility, categories

The National Awards to Teacher 2026 is divided into two main categories. First one covers teachers from HEIs and has been further divided into three sub-categories such as Engineering and Technology and Architecture; Pure Sciences, including Mathematics, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Medicine and Pharmacy; and Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages, Commerce, Legal Studies and Management.

“The list of disciplines/subjects is indicative only and will also include any other discipline / subject / emerging knowledge domain pertaining to higher education,” the notification read.

The category 2 is meant for teachers and faculty members serving in Polytechnic institutions.

Regular faculty members working in colleges, universities, higher educational institutions and polytechnics in India are eligible to apply for the National Awards to Teachers 2026.

As per the eligibility criteria, applicants must have at least five years of full-time teaching experience at undergraduate or postgraduate level and should not be above 55 years of age as on the last date of nomination submission.

Moreover, vice-chancellors, directors and principals, whether regular or officiating, are not eligible to apply. However, individuals who previously held such positions and are currently in active service below the age limit are eligible, it said.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is serving as the institutional partner for the awards, the ministry said.