Nominations for National Awards to Teachers 2026 for Higher Education and Polytechnic Institutions invited

The awards initiative is being implemented in partnership with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), which is serving as the institutional partner for the programme.

The Department of Higher Education has officially invited nominations for the National Awards to Teachers (Higher Educational Institutions and Polytechnics) 2026, recognising outstanding educators who have made exceptional contributions to teaching, academic innovation, student development, and higher education in India.

The nominations are being accepted through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at:

• awards.gov.in

The awards initiative is being implemented in partnership with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), which is serving as the institutional partner for the programme.

Awards Aim to Recognise Excellence in Higher Education

The National Awards to Teachers are intended to honour exemplary faculty members from:

• Universities

• Colleges

• Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs)

• Polytechnic institutions

across both technical and non-technical disciplines.

The Government said the awards are designed to celebrate educators who demonstrate:

• Academic excellence

• Innovative teaching methods

• Research contributions

• Student mentorship

• Institutional leadership in education

• Commitment to nation-building through education

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen quality and excellence in India's higher education system.

Two Major Award Categories Announced

The awards have been divided into two main categories.

Category I: Teachers of Higher Educational Institutions

This category covers teachers and faculty members from universities and higher education institutions and includes three sub-categories based on disciplines.

Sub-category (i)

• Engineering and Technology

• Architecture

• Related technical disciplines

Sub-category (ii)

• Pure Sciences

• Mathematics

• Physical Sciences

• Biological Sciences

• Chemical Sciences

• Medicine

• Pharmacy

Sub-category (iii)

• Arts

• Social Sciences

• Humanities

• Languages

• Legal Studies

• Commerce

• Management

The Department clarified that the list of disciplines is indicative and also includes emerging academic domains and interdisciplinary subjects relevant to higher education.

Category II: Teachers of Polytechnic Institutions

This category is dedicated specifically to recognising exemplary faculty members serving in polytechnic institutions across India.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

According to the notification, the awards are open to regular faculty members currently serving in:

• Colleges

• Universities

• Higher educational institutions

• Polytechnic institutes

Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:

• Minimum five years of full-time teaching experience

• Teaching experience at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level

• Must not be above 55 years of age on the last date of nomination submission

The Department also clarified that:

• Current Vice-Chancellors

• Directors

• Principals

whether regular or officiating, are not eligible to apply.

However, individuals who previously held such administrative positions but are currently serving in active academic roles and are below 55 years of age remain eligible.

Multiple Nomination Modes Introduced

The nomination process will be conducted entirely online under a participatory "Janbhagidari" approach.

The Government has introduced three modes of nomination:

Self-Nomination

Eligible teachers may directly apply themselves.

Institutional Nomination

Nominations can be submitted by:

• Vice-Chancellors

• Directors

• Principals

• Heads of Institutions

Peer Nomination

Faculty colleagues from the same institution may nominate eligible candidates.

All applications and nominations must be submitted through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal using the prescribed online format.

Deadline for Applications

The last date for submission of nominations is:

• 5 July 2026

Officials have advised applicants and institutions to complete submissions well before the deadline to avoid technical delays.

Government Focuses on Educational Excellence

The National Awards to Teachers form part of the Government's larger agenda to strengthen:

• Teaching quality

• Research culture

• Innovation in higher education

• Academic leadership

• Student-centric learning

India's higher education sector has been undergoing major reforms in recent years under the National Education Policy (NEP), with increased emphasis on:

• Multidisciplinary education

• Research and innovation

• Technology-enabled learning

• Faculty development

• Global academic standards

The awards are intended to encourage educators who are contributing meaningfully to these national priorities.

AICTE Supporting Award Implementation

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is serving as the institutional partner for the awards process and is assisting with:

• Coordination

• Technical support

• Application processing

• Outreach and communication

The Government said the initiative aims to recognise educators who are shaping the future of Indian higher education through excellence in teaching and academic service.

Contact Details for Queries

For assistance related to the nomination process, applicants may contact:

• Email: helpdesknataward26@aicte-india.org

• Phone:

  • 011-29581051

  • 011-295811236

Support is available between:

• 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM