Prez Murmu honoured 48 teachers with National Teachers Awards 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, praising educators’ dedication and recalling the valuable lessons she learnt from her teachers and students during her teaching career in Odisha.
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Teachers Awards 2026 on 48 school teachers at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Saturday, marking Teachers’ Day with a ceremony celebrating educators whose dedication, innovation and commitment have contributed to improving school education across the country.
The national-level award ceremony, organised by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education, brought together teachers selected from different states, Union Territories and Central Government organisations. The awards recognise educators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to teaching and made a significant difference in the learning experiences and lives of their students.
During the ceremony, short documentaries showcasing the exemplary work, achievements and contributions of each awardee were also screened. The presentations highlighted the innovative teaching practices adopted by the educators and offered an insight into the impact they have made in their respective schools and communities.
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu expressed her gratitude towards the teaching community and reflected on the important role teachers have played throughout her life. She recalled the affection and guidance she received from her own teachers, saying that their love and support helped her succeed in life.
“I feel happy to be here among the teachers. I still recall my teachers; it was due to their love and affection that I succeeded in life and am standing here today,” the President said.
Murmu also spoke about her experience as a teacher and recalled her students at the Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre in Rairangpur, Odisha. She said her relationship with her students had also shaped her understanding and enriched her life.
“I also remember my students whom I taught at the Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre in Rairangpur, Odisha. I have also learned a great deal from my students,” she said.
The President described the love and affection she received from her students as one of the greatest achievements of her life, underlining the two-way nature of the teaching-learning relationship.
During her address, President Murmu also paid tribute to Savitribai Phule and remembered her important contribution to education, particularly in advancing education for girls. Her reference highlighted the broader role of educators in promoting equal access to learning and empowering future generations.
The National Teachers Awards are organised every year on Teachers’ Day to honour some of the finest teachers from across India. The awards are intended to acknowledge educators who, through sustained dedication and hard work, have helped improve the quality of school education while enriching the lives of their students.
For the 2026 awards, eligible teachers were invited to submit online self-nominations through the Ministry of Education’s designated portal. The nomination process remained open from June 15 to July 20, enabling teachers from across the country to participate in the selection process.
The awardees were selected through a rigorous, transparent and online selection mechanism. The three-stage selection process was conducted at the District, State and National levels to identify teachers who demonstrated outstanding performance and meaningful contributions to education.
This year’s 48 awardees represent a diverse group of educators from different parts of the country. They were selected from 27 States, seven Union Territories and six organisations of the Central Government.
Of the 48 teachers honoured with the National Teachers Awards 2026, 26 are male and 22 are female. Their selection reflects the participation and contribution of educators working across different geographical regions and administrative areas.
The awards also seek to encourage innovation and excellence in teaching by recognising educators who create effective learning environments and contribute to better educational outcomes. Through the annual honour, the government seeks to celebrate teachers whose sustained efforts extend beyond classroom instruction and positively influence the development of students.
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The ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan thus served as a national recognition of the teaching profession, with President Murmu’s reflections adding a personal dimension to the occasion. Her recollection of both her teachers and students underscored the lasting influence educators and learners can have on one another.
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The screening of documentaries on the 48 awardees further brought attention to their individual achievements, teaching methods and contributions to school education. The event concluded as a tribute to teachers across India whose dedication continues to shape students, strengthen learning environments and contribute to the country’s educational development.
