President Droupadi Murmu confers National Teachers Awards 2026

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Teachers Awards 2026 on 48 educators from across India during a ceremony in New Delhi. The awardees, comprising 26 men and 22 women, were selected from 27 states, seven Union Territories, and six central government institutions for their outstanding contributions to school education.

During the event, President Murmu emphasized that education is the primary means of achieving constitutional equality of opportunity. She noted that the reduction in primary school dropout rates is a result of teacher efforts and highlighted the importance of fostering intellectual, physical, and moral development in children. She also stressed the responsibility of teachers to support students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, first-generation learners, and those with special needs.

Among the recipients were four Muslim educators: Mohammad Zafar Alam from Odisha, Dr. Iftikhar Khan from Uttar Pradesh, Mohammad Ayaz Raina from Jammu & Kashmir, and Mohammad Mustafa Kamal from Ladakh. Mohammad Zafar Alam, Principal of Eklavya Model Residential School in Mayurbhanj, was recognized for his work providing quality education to tribal children in remote areas.