Twenty-one teachers from higher education institutions (HEIs) and polytechnics have been selected for the National Teacher Awards 2025, the Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday.

Instituted in 2023 with two categories — one for HEIs and another for polytechnics — the awards recognise exemplary contributions in teaching, learning effectiveness, outreach, research, innovation, sponsored projects, faculty development and consultancy. Learning effectiveness and outreach activities carry the greatest weight in the selection process.

The procedure involves a two-stage evaluation: initial shortlisting by a preliminary search-cum-screening committee, followed by final selection by a national jury.

Highlighting the awards’ alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the ministry noted that motivated and capable faculty are vital to student success, institutional advancement and the profession as a whole. NEP also advocates recognition and incentives to nurture a culture of excellence in the education ecosystem.

Among the 2025 awardees, two each hail from Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat and Maharashtra. One teacher each from Puducherry, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Bengaluru, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and New Delhi has also been recognised.

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