Nominations open for the National Awards to Teachers (Higher Educational Institutions and Polytechnics) 2026 till July 5

The Department of Higher Education invites nominations for National Awards to Teachers (HEIs & Polytechnics) 2026 through Rashtriya Puraskar Portal, www.awards.gov.in.

The award is open to regular faculty members of colleges, universities, higher educational institutions and polytechnics in India fulfilling the prescribed eligibility criteria. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is the institutional partner for the awards.

Applicants should have a minimum of five years of full-time teaching experience at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level and should not be above 55 years of age as on the last date of submission of nominations. Vice-Chancellors, Directors and Principals, whether regular or officiating are not eligible to apply. However, individuals who have previously held such positions and are below 55 years of age and currently in active service are eligible.

The award is given in Two Categories:

Category I: Teachers of Higher Educational Institutions.  There shall be three sub-categories based on the following broad disciplines:

Sub-category (i):    Engineering & Technology, Architecture etc.

Sub-category (ii): Pure Sciences including Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy etc.

Sub-category (iii): Arts and Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Legal Studies, Commerce, Management etc.

The list of disciplines/subjects is indicative only and will also include any other discipline / subject / emerging knowledge domain pertaining to higher education.

Category II: Teachers of Polytechnic Institutions. This award will be conferred on the exemplary teachers/faculty members of Polytechnic institutions.

Modes of Nomination (online mode on Janbhagidari basis)

• Self-Nomination
• Institutional Nomination: By Heads of HEls/ Polytechnics (Director/ Principal/ VCs)
• Peer Nomination: By Colleagues of the same university/ institute/ college/ Polytechnic, where the nominee holds regular employment.

All nominations must be submitted in the prescribed format on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal – awards.gov.in.

Last date to submit the nominations: 05.07.2026

For any queries, please contact: Email : helpdesknataward26@aicte-india.org

Phone : 011-29581051 / 011-295811236 (between 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.)