NAT

"National Awards to Teachers" aims to celebrate the contributions of outstanding teachers and enhance the quality of school education. This award provides public recognition and honours the commitment of teachers, benefiting meritorious teachers working in primary, middle, and secondary schools.

Launched in 1958, the scheme "National Awards to Teachers" by the Ministry of Education aims to honour and celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country who, through their commitment, have enriched the lives of their students and improved the quality of school education. Two significant benefits of this scheme are to give public recognition to meritorious teachers and to honour those teachers who have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives of their students. Two significant eligibility criteria include being a school teacher or Head of School working in a recognised primary, middle, or secondary school and being a regular teacher or Head of School with a minimum of ten years of service. The scheme is implemented under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Education (MOE).

• School teachers and Heads of Schools working in recognised primary/middle/high/higher secondary schools under the following categories are eligible:

• Schools run by the State Govt./Union Territories Administration, schools run by local bodies, schools aided by the State Govt. and Union Territories Administration, and Private schools affiliated to the State/Union Territories Board.
• Central Govt. Schools, i.e. Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Sainik Schools run by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Schools run by Atomic Energy Education Society (AEES) and Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) run by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) (other than those at (a) and (b) above).
• Schools affiliated to the Council for Indian Schools Certificate Examination (CISCE) (Other than those at (a), (b) and (c) above).

• Normally, retired teachers are not eligible for the award, but those teachers who have served a part of the calendar year (at least for four months, i.e. up to 30th April in the year to which National Awards relate) may be considered if they fulfil all other conditions.
• Only regular Teachers and Heads of Schools with a minimum of ten years of service are eligible.

• Public recognition is given away by The President of India (or) The Vice President of India on 5th September (Teacher's Day) every year. This recognition is for meritorious primary, middle and secondary school teachers.
• The purpose of National Awards to Teachers is to celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country and to honor those teachers who, through their commitment and industry, have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives of their students.

• Retired teachers who have not served at least a part of the calendar year - at least for four months i.e. up to 30th April in the year to which the National Award relates.
• Educational Administrators, Inspectors of Education, and the staff of training Institutes are not eligible.
• The Teachers/Headmasters who have indulged in tuitions are not eligible.
• Contractual Teachers and Shiksha Mitras are not eligible.