As India prepares to celebrate Teachers’ Day on September 5, the National Teachers Awards 2026 will recognise 48 school teachers from across the country for their contribution to education and their efforts to improve learning experiences for students.
The awards hold significance as one of the country’s prominent national recognitions for school educators. Beyond celebrating individual teachers, the initiative highlights the important role educators play in shaping young minds, encouraging innovation and strengthening school education.
How Are the Teachers Selected?
The National Teachers Awards follow a structured application and evaluation process. Teachers and Heads of Schools from eligible institutions apply directly through an online web portal before the prescribed cut-off date. Each applicant is required to submit a portfolio containing supporting material, which may include documents, tools, activity reports, field-visit details, photographs, audio recordings and videos.
The Ministry of Education coordinates with States and Union Territories to facilitate timely submission of applications and address technical or operational issues related to the portal.
Applicants are evaluated using an objective evaluation matrix. The matrix includes performance-based criteria under which teachers receive marks against specified parameters. These criteria carry a defined weightage within the overall evaluation framework.
The awards are open to teachers and Heads of Schools working in recognised primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools across several categories. These include schools run by State Governments and Union Territories, local bodies, government-aided and eligible private schools, as well as Central Government institutions such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, AEES schools and Eklavya Model Residential Schools. Teachers from eligible CBSE- and CISCE-affiliated schools are also covered under the scheme.
The awards will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu on September 5, coinciding with Teachers’ Day.
Telangana’s Representation
Telangana will be represented among this year’s national awardees by Bhavani Bompelly, a teacher at Mandal Parishad Primary School (Girls), Gandhari, Kamareddy district.
Her selection gives the state representation among the 48 educators being recognised nationally this year. According to recent media reports, Bompelly has used rhymes to introduce young children to concepts such as “good touch” and “bad touch”, making the sensitive subject easier for young students to understand. The reports have also highlighted her use of innovative methods and educational videos to make mathematics more accessible to children.
The recognition also brings attention to the contribution of teachers working in government schools, particularly those serving students in rural and semi-urban communities.
Why the Awards Matter
The National Teachers Awards serve as more than an annual honour. They provide national visibility to educators whose work often takes place away from the spotlight.
At a time when education is changing through technology, digital learning and artificial intelligence, the role of teachers continues to evolve. Recognition such as this underscores the importance of educators who adapt to changing needs while keeping students at the centre of learning.
For Telangana, the inclusion of Bhavani Bompelly among the 2026 awardees adds a local dimension to a national celebration — highlighting how teachers across India’s states and communities continue to shape the country’s next generation.
On Teachers’ Day, the award is ultimately a reminder that the impact of a teacher often extends far beyond the classroom.
