| Aspects | Details |
| About | It seeks to recognize the outstanding contribution of teachers towards improving the quality of school education and promoting the holistic development of students. |
| Nodal Ministry | The awards are conferred by the Department of School Education and Literacy, under the Ministry of Education. |
| First Instituted | They were first instituted in the year 1958. |
| Frequency | They are conferred annually on 5th September (Teacher’s Day) to honour teachers who have demonstrated excellence, innovation and commitment in the field of school education. |
| Eligibility | - Teachers working in schools managed by the Central Government, State Governments, Union Territory administrations, local bodies, and aided or private schools affiliated with recognized education boards are eligible to apply, subject to the prescribed guidelines.
- Note: Only regular Teachers and Heads of Schools with a minimum of ten years of service are eligible.
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| Not eligible | Educational administrators, inspectors of education, and the staff of training Institutes, teacher/Headmaster who are indulged in tuitions, Contractual teachers and shiksha mitras are not eligible. |
| Categories | - It is conferred on the exemplary teachers/faculty members of higher education institutions and Polytechnics as per the following categories:
- Category I: It includes teachers of Higher Educational Institutions:
- Sub-category (i): Engineering & Technology, Architecture.
- Sub-category (ii): Pure Sciences including Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy
- Sub-category (iii): Arts and Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Legal Studies, Commerce, Management.
- Category II: It includes teachers of Polytechnic Institutions.
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| Criteria for the Selection process | - For the selection process, teachers will be evaluated on two types of criteria:
- Objection Criteria: Under this, the teachers will be awarded marks against each of the objective criteria.
- Weightage: These criteria are given a weightage of 10 out of 100.
- Performance against criteria: Under this, the teachers will be awarded marks on criteria based on performance for exemplary initiatives to improve learning outcomes, innovative experiments undertaken, organisation of extra and co-curricular activities, use of teaching learning material, social mobility, ensuring experiential learning, unique ways to ensure physical education to students, etc.
- Weightage: These criteria are given the weightage of 90 out of 100.
- The National Level Independent Jury will submit its recommendations to the Hon’ble Education Minister for acceptance and final approval.
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| Prizes | - Each award carries a certificate of merit, a cash award of Rs. 50,000 and a silver medal.
- Selected teachers are awarded by the President or Vice President of India.
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