The Shiv Nadar Foundation, in partnership with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, has opened nominations for the inaugural edition of India’s Best Teachers’ Awards 2026, a national initiative to recognise exceptional educators teaching Classes 9 to 12 across India.
School principals and heads of government and private schools can submit nominations until July 31, 2026. Award recipients will receive national recognition and a fully funded scholarship to participate in a one-week learning and development programme at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
The initiative reflects the belief that the quality of an education system is deeply linked to the strength of its teachers. By combining national recognition with structured capability-building through the Oxford learning programme, the awards seek to support and elevate the teaching profession in a sustained way.
India has one of the world’s largest school education systems, with 98 lakh teachers educating more than 24 crore students across 14 lakh schools. Within this vast and diverse ecosystem, teachers work across varied geographies, school systems and socio-economic contexts, often addressing very different classroom realities. Across these settings, they play a vital role in shaping how students learn, think and engage with the world.
As access to information expands beyond textbooks and classrooms, the role of teachers has become even more critical. Today’s educators are helping students build critical thinking, curiosity, creativity and the ability to apply learning to real-world situations. Recognising excellence in teaching is therefore essential to strengthening educational outcomes and preparing young people for a rapidly changing future.
The awards aim to bring national visibility to exemplary educators whose work is improving learning outcomes, inspiring students and strengthening school communities. By recognising teachers working in diverse settings, the initiative seeks to highlight the many forms that teaching excellence can take in India.
The awards are open to teachers of Geography, Business Studies and Entrepreneurship, Computer Science, Economics, Physics, English, Environmental Sciences, and Mathematics. Applications will be assessed on subject expertise, innovation in teaching methodology, impact on student learning outcomes, and leadership within schools and communities.
Beyond recognition, the awards seek to promote continuous professional development and peer learning among educators. The week-long Oxford learning programme will provide award recipients with exposure to global perspectives on education, leadership and innovation, while creating opportunities for exchange with a wider community of practitioners and experts.
Shortlisted finalists will be invited to participate in the final stage of the awards process at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, on September 4 and 5, 2026.
School principals can submit nominations through the awards portal: https://indiateacherawards.evalato.com/