The Shiv Nadar Foundation, in collaboration with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, on April 29 announced the launch of India’s Best Teachers’ Awards. The awards will recognize high-school educators (Grades 9 to 12) across the country who demonstrate subject expertise, innovation in pedagogy, measurable student impact, and leadership within their schools and communities.
The 2026 edition will cover eight subject categories: Geography, Business Studies and Entrepreneurship, Computer Science, Economics, Physics, English, Environmental Sciences, and Mathematics.
Applications are open to teachers from both government and private schools, across central and state boards, ensuring representation from diverse geographies and classroom contexts.
Award winners will receive a full scholarship to attend a one-week, in-person bespoke learning and development programme at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. The programme will offer exposure to global perspectives on pedagogy and leadership, enabling cross-learning within an international academic environment.
The initiative as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in New Delhi between the two entities, is intended for a long-term partnership to recognize and elevate excellence in teaching across India. India’s school education system is one of the largest in the world, with over 9.8 million teachers shaping learning outcomes across diverse classrooms. As the system evolves, the need to consistently identify, recognize, and scale effective teaching practices has become increasingly critical to improving student learning experiences.
This collaboration brings together the Shiv Nadar Foundation’s on-ground experience in building and strengthening educational institutions in India with Saïd Business School’s global expertise in leadership and pedagogy. Together, the two organizations aim to create a credible national platform that identifies, and amplifies high-impact teaching practices, while contributing to a broader shift in how the profession is valued.
Speaking at the launch, Shikhar Malhotra, Trustee at the Shiv Nadar Foundation, said, “Teachers shape the lives of their students in ways that extend far beyond the classroom. They influence how young people think, learn, and engage with the world. Through these awards, we aim to build a credible platform that strengthens the broader teaching ecosystem by spotlighting meaningful classroom impact.”
The awards process has been designed to ensure rigour and credibility, with a structured, multi-stage evaluation framework. This includes assessment of teaching methodology, classroom practice, and demonstrated student impact – such as improvements in learning outcomes, engagement levels, or innovative classroom interventions.
Manos Kapterian, Chief Operating Officer at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, who joined the event virtually, said, “The quality of any education system ultimately rests on its teachers. If we want to raise standards and outcomes, we must ensure that the profession is recognized, respected and supported in a sustained way. Bringing together recognition through the awards and capability-building through the learning programme is an important step in that direction.”
Josephine Fawkes, Director of Youth Education and Global Inclusion at Saïd Business School, added, “Great teaching has a lasting impact that extends far beyond the classroom. By celebrating teachers and supporting their continued development, we reinforce the value of the profession and its role in shaping future generations.”
Entries for the 2026 edition of India’s Best Teachers’ Awards will open on May 1, 2026, with submissions closing on July 31, 2026. Shortlisted finalists will be invited to present their work at an in-person finale scheduled for September 4–5, 2026, at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR.
The initiative is expected to build a growing network of recognized educators, enabling peer learning and the exchange of effective classroom practices over time.
