The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, has announced the selection of 16 exceptional teachers from Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and Polytechnics for the prestigious National Awards to Teachers (NAT) 2024. This recognition underscores the critical role of motivated and capable faculty in driving the progress of students, institutions, and the broader educational profession.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the importance of cultivating excellence within the education ecosystem, laid the foundation for these awards. The NEP advocates for incentives such as rewards and recognitions to encourage a culture of academic excellence. Responding to this, the NAT, originally focused on school teachers, was expanded in 2023 to include two new categories of awards specifically for educators in HEIs and Polytechnics.
Award Categories:
- Category I: 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: Teachers of Polytechnic Institutions: Total of 10 Awards
The 16 teachers selected this year represent a diverse group of educators from Polytechnics, State Universities, and Central Higher Education Institutions. The selection process was rigorous, focusing on key parameters such as Teaching Learning Effectiveness, Outreach activities, Research and Innovation, and Sponsored Research/ Faculty Development Programs/ Consultancy Teaching. Among these, Learning Effectiveness and Outreach activities carried the highest weightage.
The selection procedure for NAT 2024 was a two-step process. First, a Preliminary Search-cum-Screening Committee conducted an initial shortlist of nominees. Then, a Committee of ‘Jury’ selected the final awardees from this shortlisted pool. Nominations were invited online through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal, with options for self, institutional, and peer nominations, reflecting a commitment to public participation (Jan Bhagidari).
DETAILS OF NAT 2024 AWARDEES – DoHE
- Gandhimathi A from Thiagarajar Polytechnic College, Junction Main Road, Salem- 636005, Tamil Nadu
- Parmar Ranjitkumar Khimjibhai from Government Polytechnic Khadiya, Bilkha Road, Junagadh, Gujarat-362263
- Nidhi Jain from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
- Smiline Girija from Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences [SIMATS], Saveetha University, No 162: PH Road, Velappanchavady, Chennai 600077
- Birinchi Kumar Sarma from Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005
- Srinivas Hotha from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411 008
- S R Keshava from Department of Economics, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi Campus, Kengeri, Bangalore – 560056
- Shilpagauri Prasad Ganpule, Pune District Education Association’s Prof. Ramkrishna More Arts, Commerce and Science College, Ganganagar, Sector No. 28, Nigdi Pradhikaran, Pune 411044
- Chayapuram Jaya Sankar Babu from Pondicherry University, R. Venkat Raman Nagar, Kalapet, Puducherry – 605 014
- Nilabh Tiwari from Central Sanskrit University, Bhopal Campus, Bagsewaniya, Bhopal , MP
- Vinay Sharma from Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee-247667 Haridwar, Uttarakhand
- Nandavaram Mrudula from Govt. Degree College for Women, Mayur Marg, Begumpet, Hyderabad, Telangana 500016
- Shimi S L from Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Vidya Path, Sector 12, Chandigarh 160012
- Kapil Ahuja from Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Khandwa Road, Simrol, Indore, MP 453552
- Anitha Suseelan from School of Architecture, Kengeri Campus, CHRIST Deemed to be University, Kengeri-Campus, Kanminike, Kumbalgodu, Mysore Road, Bangalore 560074
- Dr. Shahanaz Ayub from Bundelkhand Institute of Engineering and Technology, Kanpur Road, Jhansi-284128, UP
