National Awards to Teachers
National recognition for outstanding school teachers · primary to higher secondary · 5th September
The National Awards to Teachers (NAT) honours outstanding school teachers across India with public recognition presented by the President or Vice President on Teachers' Day (5th September) each year. This award celebrates teachers in primary, middle, and secondary schools who have significantly enriched their students' lives and improved educational quality. To apply, eligible teachers must register on the official NAT portal at nationalawardstoteachers.education.gov.in and submit their application during the open window.
About This Scheme
The National Awards to Teachers (NAT) honours outstanding school teachers across India with public recognition presented by the President or Vice President on Teachers' Day (5th September) each year. This award celebrates teachers in primary, middle, and secondary schools who have significantly enriched their students' lives and improved educational quality. To apply, eligible teachers must register on the official NAT portal at nationalawardstoteachers.education.gov.in and submit their application during the open window.
Full official description
Launched in 1958, the scheme "National Awards to Teachers" by the Ministry of Education aims to honour and celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country who, through their commitment, have enriched the lives of their students and improved the quality of school education. Two significant benefits of this scheme are to give public recognition to meritorious teachers and to honour those teachers who have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives of their students. Two significant eligibility criteria include being a school teacher or Head of School working in a recognised primary, middle, or secondary school and being a regular teacher or Head of School with a minimum of ten years of service. The scheme is implemented under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Education (MOE).
Benefits
- Public recognition ceremony hosted by the President or Vice President of India on 5th September (Teacher's Day)
- National-level prestige and honour for contributions to school education
- No cash prize — the award is a certificate and recognition event
💡 Why Startups Should Care
National Award-winning school teachers are the most recognized and networked educators in India — if you're an EdTech founder, they are your highest-credibility channel partners for peer-to-peer adoption across schools in their district and state.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a regular teacher or Head of School in a recognised primary, middle, or secondary school
- Minimum 10 years of teaching service required
- Schools covered include state government, local body, aided, private (CBSE/CISCE), Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and Sainik Schools
- Retired teachers are generally not eligible; exception if they served at least 4 months (up to 30 April) in the award year
- Teachers who offer private tuitions are NOT eligible
- Contractual teachers and Shiksha Mitras are NOT eligible
- Educational administrators and inspectors are NOT eligible
Exclusions
- Retired teachers are eligible only if they served at least until 30th April of the award year
- Educational administrators, inspectors of education, and training institute staff are not eligible
- Teachers who give private tuitions are not eligible
- Contractual teachers and Shiksha Mitras are not eligible
How to Apply
- Visit nationalawardstoteachers.education.gov.in and click 'New Registration' — select your organisation type and fill in your details including mobile and email
- Activate your account via the link sent to your email, then verify your mobile number with the OTP received
- Set your password and login — you will see a list of sections to fill: Personal Details, School Details, Service Record, Objective Criteria, Performance Against Criteria, and Supporting Documents
- Upload your photo (max 100 KB, JPEG/PNG) and all PDF supporting documents (max 5 MB each); use Google Drive link if PDF upload fails
- Click 'Preview Application', accept the declaration, and click 'Final Submission' — no changes are permitted after this; contact helpdesk-nat@gov.in for technical issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What recognition do meritorious teachers receive under this scheme?
Meritorious teachers receive public recognition from the highest authorities in India for their contributions to school education and student development.
Who is responsible for overseeing the implementation of this scheme?
The Ministry of Education (MOE) supervises the overall implementation of the National Awards to Teachers scheme.
What is the deadline for the award disbursement each year?
The awards are publicly disbursed on 5th September (Teacher’s Day) every year by the President or Vice President of India.
Can Hindi content be included in the application, and what format should be used?
Yes, Hindi content can be pasted using Unicode in the application form for proper display.
What kind of certificate is required for objective criteria related to attendance and enrollment?
A certificate from the controlling officer is needed for criteria like regular attendance, in-service training, and efforts to increase enrollment or reduce dropouts.
Are shortlisted teachers required to submit additional documents or student details?
Shortlisted teachers must prepare an application letter and provide details of up to five students positively impacted by their teaching.
Is there a preview option available before final submission of the application?
Yes, applicants can preview their filled application, download a copy, and review all details before final submission.
What happens if an applicant faces technical issues during the application process?
For technical assistance, applicants can contact the helpdesk via email at helpdesk-nat@gov.in for support.
Can applicants make changes to their submitted application after final submission?
No, once the application is submitted, no further changes or edits are permitted, so accuracy must be ensured beforehand.
What should applicants do after logging into the portal to complete their application?
They must fill in all sections—personal details, school details, service record, objective criteria, performance details—and upload supporting documents before final submission.
How can teachers reset their password if they forget it after registration?
Teachers can change their password by clicking "Change Password," entering the old and new passwords, and confirming the new one as per policy.
What password requirements must applicants follow while registering on the portal?
The password must be at least 8 characters long, including one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character.
Is there a specific image format and size required for the applicant’s photo?
The applicant’s image must be in JPEG, JPG, or PNG format and should not exceed 100 KB in size.
What should applicants do if they face issues uploading PDF documents?
If facing upload issues, applicants can provide a Google Drive link containing all required supporting documents.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Applicant image (max 100 KB, JPEG/JPG/PNG format)
- Biography/Achievements document (PDF)
- Service record document (PDF)
- Schoolwise record (PDF)
- Experience record (PDF)
- Supporting documents for objective criteria (PDF)
- Supporting YouTube video URLs for objective criteria (if applicable)
- Certificate from the controlling officer (for criteria related to attendance, in-service training, and enrollment work)