National Award to Teachers (For Excellence in Vocational Training and Entrepreneurship Development) 2026

The objective of the National Award for Excellence in Vocational Training & Entrepreneurship Development is to honor excellence among Faculty, Trainers and master trainers in the long-term and short-term training spheres as well as entrepreneurship development, who have considerably excelled and achieved outstanding and meritorious performance outcomes, setting benchmarks for others to emulate.

Eligibility

The Awards are conferred under five categories. The eligibility criteria for each category are as follows:

Category I & III: Best Skill Trainers and Master Trainers – Long-Term Training

The award is open to Skill Trainers of ITIs and Master Trainers of NSTIs/IToTs, subject to the following conditions:

• Should be engaged as a Trainer (Category I) or Master Trainer (Category III) on a regular basis.
• Trainers applying under Category I should be registered on the National Instructor Management System (NIMS) and possess a valid Instructor Permanent Registration Number (IPRN).
• Should have at least five years of full-time experience under CTS and/or CITS, as applicable.
• Should not be above 55 years of age as on the last date for submission of applications.
• Trainers who have already received the Kaushalacharya Award or National Award for Excellence in Vocational Training & Entrepreneurship Development under any category in previous years are not eligible.

Category II & IV: Best Skill Trainers and Master Trainers – Short-Term Training

The award is open to Trainers and Master Trainers engaged in the short-term skilling ecosystem, subject to the following conditions:

• Should be engaged as a Trainer/Master Trainer on a regular basis.
• Should not be above 55 years of age as on the last date for submission of applications.
• Registered Trainers on Skill India Digital Hub from any Government Institution with valid certification up to at least October 2026 should be delivering or should have delivered Short-Term Training programmes.
• Certified Trainers/Master Trainers from an Awarding Body with valid certification up to at least October 2026 should be delivering or should have delivered Short-Term Training programmes.
• Should possess a minimum of three years' cumulative experience in the Short-Term Training ecosystem under MSDE/NSDC/recognized programmes and submit a valid experience certificate issued by the Head of the organization.
• Trainers who have already received the Kaushalacharya Award or National Award for Excellence in Vocational Training & Entrepreneurship Development under any category in previous years are not eligible.
• Candidates may apply under one category only.

Category V: Excellence in Entrepreneurship Development

• Should be a regular faculty member teaching entrepreneurship development programmes/courses in a University, College or Institution recognized by UGC/AICTE or established through an Act of Parliament.
• Or should be engaged on a regular basis in implementation of entrepreneurship development programmes in Central/State Government Institutions, including autonomous institutions.
• Should have at least five years of full-time experience.
• Should not be above 55 years of age as on the last date for submission of applications.
• Applicants who have already received the Kaushalacharya Award or National Award for Excellence in Vocational Training & Entrepreneurship Development under any category in previous years are not eligible.

 

Decoration

Each awardee shall receive:

• A Medal
• A Certificate
• Cash Prize of ₹50,000/-

 

No. of Awardees

A total of 16 Awards will be conferred each year under the following categories:

Category I: Best Skill Trainers – Long-Term Training (09 Awards)

• Best Skill Trainer in Top 5 CTS Trades in ITIs – 05
• Best Skill Trainer in Remaining Engineering Trades – 01
• Best Skill Trainer in Remaining Non-Engineering Trades – 01
• Best Skill Trainer (Divyang Trades) – 01
• Best Skill Trainer (New Age Courses) – 01

Category II: Best Skill Trainers – Short-Term Training (03 Awards)

• Manufacturing, Service & Engineering Sectors – 01
• Emerging/New Age Sectors – 01
• Traditional & Other Sectors – 01

Category III: Best Master Trainers – Long-Term Training (02 Awards)

• Engineering Trades – 01
• Non-Engineering Trades – 01

Category IV: Best Master Trainers – Short-Term Training (01 Award)

Category V: Excellence in Entrepreneurship Development (01 Award)

 

Who can nominate ?

• Self-nomination (Singular Basis).
• Earlier nominees may apply again. However, recipients of the Kaushalacharya Award or National Award for Excellence in Vocational Training & Entrepreneurship Development under any category in previous years are not eligible.
• Members of the Search-cum-Screening Committee may also take suo motu cognizance of outstanding faculty/trainers and nominate exemplary candidates.
• Category-wise nomination procedures are provided in the detailed Guidelines.

Selection Process

• Preliminary screening by the Search-cum-Screening Committee.
• Final selection by the Jury from the shortlisted candidates.

Ceremony Details

The selected awardees will be felicitated on 5 September (Teachers' Day) during the National Awards Ceremony organized by the Government of India.