Science teacher Soma Mandal from GD Goenka Public School, Delhi, has been named the global winner of the 2026 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards, becoming the first educator from India to receive the prestigious honour.

Presented by Cambridge University Press & Assessment’s International Education group, the award celebrates teachers who make an exceptional contribution to shaping students’ futures and transforming lives through education.

Mandal secured 40 percent of the public vote, emerging as the overall winner from a field of nine regional finalists and more than 12,000 nominations submitted from 129 countries.

With over 10 years of teaching experience and a master’s degree in environmental science, Mandal has been recognized for placing climate education at the heart of her science lessons. She developed a climate-focused curriculum that encourages students to investigate environmental challenges and create practical solutions through collaborative and inquiry-based learning.

The global win came as a surprise to Mandal, who believed she was joining a video call to accept her South Asia regional award. During the call, Cambridge’s Group Managing Director of International Education, Rod Smith, revealed that she had also secured the global title.

Speaking after receiving the award, Mandal said: “I never expected this – it came as a complete surprise and it’s a moment I will never forget. Every day, I feel fortunate to be able to inspire the next generation through work I care so deeply about.”

Highlighting her commitment to climate education, she added: “In a time when climate anxiety is increasingly affecting young people, my aim is to transform concern into meaningful participation by empowering students with hope, resilience, leadership, and the confidence to contribute to sustainable change at both local and global levels.”

Mandal was formally presented with the global award at Cambridge’s New Delhi office on May 27, where she was joined by her parents and brother. As part of the prize, she will receive a place on a Cambridge University Press & Assessment professional development course of her choice.

Congratulating the educator, Rod Smith praised her efforts to integrate sustainability into learning. “Hearing her describe the climate-focused curriculum she has built, and the passion she brings to sustainability every day in her classroom, is inspiring and energising,” Smith said.

As a regional winner, Mandal will also receive £500 worth of books for her classroom and will be featured on a special ‘Thank You’ page in a range of new Cambridge textbooks scheduled for publication in November 2026.

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