Nomination Invitation for Shikshagraha Awards 2026: Recognizing Education Pioneers
The Shikshagraha Awards, a prestigious recognition for outstanding contributions in the field of education, are set to return in 2026. This year's ceremony will take place on February 6th at InvokED, a global dialogue on education leadership.
The awards, co-built by the Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiative and Mantra4Change, honour education leaders who drive transformation in schools, often emphasising innovation, inclusion, and community engagement. These qualities have a positive ripple effect on education quality and accessibility across India.
Nominations for the Shikshagraha Awards are now open, and the process is rigorous, evaluating candidates on continuous improvement, collaboration, innovation, equity-driven actions, and real-world impact. The nomination form can be found on the Shikshagraha website in English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.
Last year, the awards recognised individuals such as Xavier Chandra Kumar, who revitalised a neglected school in Tamil Nadu by introducing counselling, medical camps, and inclusive practices that bridged caste divides, and Ranjan Kumar, who raised school enrolment by 169% in Bihar through community partnerships and bold learning initiatives.
The Shikshagraha Awards are part of a larger movement aimed at improving one million public schools in India by 2030. The awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also highlight the collective impact on education in India. Winners have revitalised underperforming schools, introduced innovative teaching practices, increased student engagement and learning outcomes, promoted inclusive education, and supported educational NGOs that drive social change.
The Shikshagraha Awards are more than just a financial prize, trophy, and certificate of excellence. They offer visibility on platforms like InvokED, providing winners with a platform to share their stories and inspire others.
Dr. Subramanian Rangan, Professor of Strategy & Management at INSEAD, Member of the Board of Advisors at ShikshaLokam, and Jury Chair for the Shikshagraha Awards, finds evaluating nominations inspiring and humbling. He looks for individuals who are deeply committed to making education inclusive and are innovating, collaborating, and improving constantly.
If you know someone who is tirelessly championing the cause of equitable access to education, both within and beyond the classroom, nominate them for the Shikshagraha Awards. Together, we can create an inclusive learning environment where every student, regardless of background, gender, or abilities, can thrive in the 21st century.
- The Shikshagraha Awards, focusing on innovation and inclusivity in education, aim to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions in transforming schools, fostering personal growth and learning.
- The nomination process for the Shikshagraha Awards is competitive, assessing candidates on factors such as continuous improvement, collaboration, and real-world impact in education-and-self-development, with an emphasis on equity and inclusion.
- Winning the Shikshagraha Awards offers more than just financial rewards; it provides a platform for personal-growth, reinforcing winners' influence and inspiring others through global dialogue events like InvokED, ultimately driving change in the field of education.
