Shikshagraha, the people-led movement to improve public schools across India, has announced that nominations for the 3rd edition of the Shikshagraha Awards, instituted by The Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives, are now open until July 31, 2026. The awards recognise educators, community leaders, and grassroots changemakers who are reshaping public education from the inside out.
“India’s public education system is the single greatest lever we have for an equal society. For too long, the educators doing extraordinary work in the most difficult conditions have gone unrecognised. When we celebrate these leaders, we inspire a thousand more to step forward,” SD Shibulal, Co-founder, Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiative.
Now in its third year, the awards have already proved that recognition is not symbolic; it is a catalyst. Past winners have used the financial support, credibility, and network that come with the award to scale their work in measurable ways.
Winners of the Shikshagraha Award receive financial support, national media coverage, access to a network of changemakers and civil society organisations, and the institutional credibility that opens doors to government departments, NGOs, and funders. The 2027 awards will be presented at InvokED, an annual global dialogue on education leadership where experts, educators, and changemakers come together to shape the movement towards education equity. The next InvokED is scheduled for February 26 & 27, 2027.
Nominations are open to educators, school leaders, community volunteers, and anyone driving meaningful change within India’s public education system, across all geographies, disciplines, and types of work.
Nominate by July 31, 2026, at: shikshagraha.org/awards.
