The Ministry of Education on Wednesday invited nominations for the National Awards to Teachers (Higher Educational Institutions and Polytechnics) 2026, aimed at recognising outstanding faculty members from colleges, universities and polytechnic institutes across the country.
The nominations can be submitted online through the [Rashtriya Puraskar Portal](https://www.awards.gov.in), with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) acting as the institutional partner for the awards.
According to the ministry, the awards will be presented in two broad categories — teachers from higher educational institutions and teachers from polytechnic institutions. The higher education category has been divided into three sub-groups covering Engineering and Technology, Pure Sciences, and Arts and Social Sciences along with allied disciplines.
The ministry said the awards are open to regular faculty members with at least five years of full-time teaching experience at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Applicants should not be above 55 years of age as on the last date of nomination submission.
Vice-Chancellors, Directors and Principals are not eligible to apply, though those who previously served in such positions and are currently in active service can submit nominations if they meet the age criteria.
Nominations can be filed through self-nomination, institutional nomination by heads of institutions, or peer nomination by colleagues from the same institute under the Janbhagidari model.
The last date to apply is July 5, 2026, the ministry said.
