The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, presented National Awards to teachers across the country on Teachers’ Day on September 5, 2026. The ceremony took place in New Delhi and recognised educators for their contributions to the nation’s development through academic excellence, skill training, and fostering entrepreneurship.
What the President said
The President highlighted that education remains the most reliable path to achieving the constitutional promise of equal opportunity for all citizens. She noted that India’s success in reducing primary school dropout rates to negligible levels is a direct result of teacher effort and dedication.
Addressing the role of teachers, the President emphasised that school education provides the foundation for the entire education system. She stressed that while knowledge and skills can be learned at any age, instilling values and good character in childhood has lasting impact and is the special duty of teachers.
The President acknowledged the diverse challenges teachers face. Many students come from economically weak backgrounds, are first-generation learners, move from village schools to city institutions, struggle with shyness, possess talent but lack confidence, or have special educational needs. Teachers, she said, carry the responsibility of building confidence in all such students and ensuring none feel left behind.
The President placed importance on academic excellence, skill development, and entrepreneurship as essential to India’s progress. She identified establishing India as a global skills hub and transforming it into a knowledge superpower as national priorities. She connected teacher quality directly to the goal of building a developed India, stating that a world-class education system requires teachers who actively shape it.
What this means for you
If you are a teacher, this recognition underlines that your work in shaping young minds—especially those facing economic hardship, disability, or low confidence—is central to national development. If you are a student or parent, the message is that quality teachers who focus on your overall development, not just exam scores, are being officially valued. The emphasis on skill development and entrepreneurship alongside academics suggests that education policy increasingly views these as equally important pathways to individual and national success.