Prime Minister Narendra Modi Meets National Teachers’ Award Winners, Highlights Teachers’ Role in Shaping Future India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with recipients of the National Teachers’ Awards at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi, as part of Teachers’ Day celebrations. The interaction focused on teaching innovations, student development and the wider role of educators in preparing young people for the future.
During the meeting, teachers shared experiences from their classrooms and explained innovative methods they use to make learning more engaging. Modi encouraged the awardees to exchange successful teaching practices so that effective ideas can benefit students beyond individual schools and regions.
The Prime Minister stressed that teachers have a responsibility that extends beyond completing textbooks and examinations. He said educators play a central role in preparing the country’s youth for the vision of a Viksit Bharat, placing teachers at the heart of India’s long-term social and educational development.
A significant part of the discussion concerned the impact of technology and changing patterns of childhood. Modi raised concerns about excessive screen time among children and urged teachers to work with parents to understand how much time students spend on digital devices, particularly at night.
He also highlighted sports, physical activities and creative pursuits as important alternatives to excessive device use. Teachers, he suggested, can help children develop healthier routines by encouraging activities that strengthen creativity, confidence and social interaction.
Drug abuse among young people was another concern discussed during the interaction. Modi called on teachers to remain alert to possible signs of substance abuse and to help students become aware of the dangers of drugs, particularly in environments where such problems may be difficult for families to identify.
The conversation also touched on the National Education Policy (NEP) and the importance of education in students’ mother tongues. Modi encouraged teachers to use local folklore and stories in different languages, saying such approaches can introduce students to India’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
He further suggested that teachers could take students on educational tours to different parts of India. Such experiences, according to the Prime Minister’s message, can allow children to encounter the country’s cultural, geographical and social diversity beyond what they learn inside classrooms.
The 2026 National Teachers’ Awards recognize educators selected through a multi-stage process involving district, state/organisation and national-level scrutiny. The official programme lists the awards as part of the September 5 Teachers’ Day celebrations.
For 2026, the government announced 48 National Teachers’ Award recipients from school education, representing 27 states, seven Union Territories and six Central Government organisations. The group comprises 26 male and 22 female teachers.
The Teachers’ Day programme also includes National Awards to 21 teachers and faculty members from higher education institutions and polytechnics, reflecting a broader recognition of teaching excellence across India’s education system.
The interaction with Modi therefore placed the award-winning teachers’ work within a broader discussion about the future of education: moving beyond rote learning, using technology thoughtfully, strengthening cultural and linguistic awareness, encouraging physical and creative activities, and helping students navigate emerging social challenges.
The meeting also underscored the government’s effort to present teachers not merely as academic instructors but as mentors and community figures whose influence extends into students’ behaviour, confidence, creativity and overall development.
