The Ministry of Education has officially started accepting nominations for the Eligible faculty members can submit their applications online through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.
National Awards to Teachers 2026: Key Highlights
The awards are designed to celebrate excellence in higher education and encourage innovative teaching practices. The Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education is overseeing the nomination and selection process.
Applications are now open on the official awards portal, and interested candidates are advised to complete registration before the deadline.
Important Dates
| Nomination Start Date | 26/05/2026 |
| Nomination End Date | 05/07/2026 |
No. of Awardees
A total of Thirty five Awards (25 in Category-I and 10 in Category-II) shall be conferred every year.
Decoration
Each awardee shall be presented with the following.
i) A medal
ii) A certificate
iii) Cash Prize of Rs 50,000/-
Who Can Apply?
Faculty members seeking nomination for the National Awards to Teachers 2026 must meet specific eligibility conditions laid down by the Ministry of Education.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should fulfill the following requirements:
- Must be a regular faculty member working in a recognised Higher Educational Institution or Polytechnic in India
- Should possess a minimum of five years of full-time teaching experience at undergraduate or postgraduate level
- Age should not exceed 55 years as of the final application date
- Candidates must demonstrate excellence in teaching, research, innovation, student mentorship, or institutional service
Teachers serving on a contractual or temporary basis may not be eligible under the current guidelines.
Categories of Awards
The Ministry has divided the awards into two major categories to ensure fair representation of educators from different academic backgrounds and institutions. The detailed category-wise guidelines are available on the official portal.
How to Apply for National Awards to Teachers 2026
Candidates can complete the nomination process online by following these simple steps:
- Visit the official Rashtriya Puraskar Portal
- Register using the required credentials
- Fill out the online application form carefully
- Upload all necessary academic and professional documents
- Submit the nomination before the closing date
Applicants are advised to review all details thoroughly before final submission.
Documents Required
While submitting the application, candidates may need the following:
- Educational qualification certificates
- Experience certificates
- Research publications or academic achievements
- Recommendation or supporting documents
- Identity proof and recent photograph
Selection Process
Selection Procedure for NAT-2026 will follow two-step process.
1) Preliminary Search cum Screening Committee for initial shortlisting of candidates
2) Committee of ‘Jury’ for final section of awardees from the shortlisted candidates
Objective of the Awards
The National Awards to Teachers aim to acknowledge educators who have transformed the learning experience through dedication, creativity, and academic leadership. The initiative also promotes quality education and motivates teachers to contribute towards educational excellence in India.
Official Application Portal
Interested applicants can submit their nominations through the official portal:
Awards Portal: awards.gov.in
- Apply for National Awards to Teachers 2026: Click Here
