National Awards to Teachers Higher Education

The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education confers awards on the exemplary teachers/faculty members of technical and non-technical higher education institutions and Teachers of Polytechnic Institutions.

The purpose of the annual National Award to Teachers in Higher Education Institutions is to recognise the distinctive contributions of some of the finest faculty members in the country and honour them for their dedication and hard work, particularly in teaching and pedagogy, and its impact which have not only improved the quality of higher education but also enriched the lives of their students. The Award seeks to recognise and honour the unique and path-breaking achievements of faculty members in teaching-learning, community outreach, institutional service, research, and novelty of work in the field of higher education.

The selected awardees will be felicitated on 5th September (Teachers’ Day) to commemorate the Birth Anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, former President of India and a remarkable teacher.

Eligibility

The award is open to all the faculty members of colleges/universities/higher educational institutions/polytechnics in India, satisfying the following conditions:

• The Nominee should be a regular faculty member,
• Should have at least five years of full-time teaching experience at the Undergraduate and/or Post-graduate level,
• Should NOT be above 55 years of age as on the last date of receiving application for the awards.
• Vice-Chancellor/Director/Principal (regular or officiating) are NOT eligible to apply. However, individuals who have held such positions earlier, but are below 55 years of age and still in active service are eligible.

Award

Each awardee shall be presented with the following.

• A medal
• A certificate
• Cash Prize of Rs 50,000/- 

No. of Awardees : A total of Thirty five Awards (25 in Category-I and 10 in Category-II) shall be conferred every year. 

Category I - Teachers of Higher Educational Institutions

There shall be three sub-categories under the first category based on the following broad disciplines: Engineering & Technology, Architecture; Pure Sciences including Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy; and Arts and Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Legal Studies, Commerce, and Management.

Category II : Teachers of Polytechnic Institutions

How to apply

1. Self - Nominations (Singular basis).
2. Former or existing Vice-Chancellor/ Director/ Principal/ Faculty member/ Colleague of the same university/ institute/ college/ Polytechnic, where the nominee holds regular employment.
3. Members of Search-cum-Screening Committees may also take suo-moto cognizance of an outstanding faculty member and may nominate exemplary teachers.
4. Award Jury are NOT eligible to make any nominations for this award.

Visit the National Awards portal for online nominations. The nominations are open generally during mid May to mid June. 

Selection Process

Selection Procedure for the national awards will follow two-step process.

• Preliminary Search cum Screening Committee for initial shortlisting of candidates
• Committee of ‘Jury’ for final section of awardees from the shortlisted candidates

Source : National Award to Teachers (HEIs and Polytechnics) guidelines