AP State Best Teacher Awards 2026 – Guidelines, Selection Criteria & Application PDF
AP State Best Teacher Awards 2026 – The School Education Department of Andhra Pradesh is inviting nominations for the Best Teacher State Awards to be presented on Teachers’ Day – September 5, 2026 (Guru Pujotsavam). This article provides complete details including guidelines, eligibility, selection criteria, important dates, and download links to the application form PDF.
AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026 – Guidelines, Eligibility, Selection Process & Schedule
The Director of School Education, Andhra Pradesh has issued the official proceedings for the selection of State Best Teachers Awards – 2026 to commemorate Teachers’ Day (Guru Pujotsavam) on 5th September 2026. The notification explains the eligibility criteria, nomination process, selection procedure, timelines, and constitution of various selection committees.
The awards are intended to recognize outstanding teachers who have made remarkable contributions towards improving the quality of education in Government and Government-aided schools across Andhra Pradesh.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Important Highlights
- Teachers Eligible for the Awards
- Eligibility Criteria
- Main Considerations for Selection
- Next: Nomination Process
Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification | AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026 |
| Issued By | Director of School Education, Andhra Pradesh |
| Proceedings No. | Rc.No.3310670/TRNG-CSE/2026 |
| Date | 02-07-2026 |
| Occasion | Teachers’ Day (Guru Pujotsavam) |
| Award Function | 05 September 2026 |
| Selection Mode | Offline (District Level) & Online through LEAP App |
| Official Purpose | Selection of Best Teachers for State Awards |
Important Highlights
- Teachers’ Day (Guru Pujotsavam) will be celebrated on 5 September 2026.
- State Awards are instituted to honour outstanding teachers across Andhra Pradesh.
- The selection process aims to ensure transparency, merit-based evaluation and evidence-based assessment.
- Applications will be considered through:
- Offline at District Level
- Online through LEAP App at State Level
- Selection is based on objective performance data and digital portfolios.
- Equal opportunity is provided to eligible teachers from all managements.
Teachers Eligible for the Scheme
The scheme is applicable to regular teachers working under the Department of School Education in the following managements:
- Government Schools
- Zilla Parishad Schools
- Mandal Parishad Schools
- Municipal Schools
- Aided Schools
- AP Model Schools (APMS)
- APSWREIS Institutions
- APTWREIS Institutions
- ITDA Schools
- APREIS Institutions
- KGBVs
- DIETs
Eligibility Criteria for State Best Teacher Awards 2026
The following eligibility conditions have been prescribed for consideration of teachers for the State Awards.
| Sl.No | Eligibility Condition |
|---|---|
| 1 | Teachers, Head Masters and Teacher Educators should have rendered minimum 10 years of service. |
| 2 | Retired teachers are generally not eligible. However, teachers who served for part of the academic year may be considered if all other conditions are fulfilled. |
| 3 | Teachers who have already received the State Best Teacher Award earlier are not eligible. |
| 4 | Teachers against whom disciplinary proceedings or criminal cases are pending are not eligible. |
| 5 | The District Selection Committee shall verify all information submitted by applicants. |
| 6 | Government may felicitate additional outstanding teachers under special categories. |
Main Considerations for Selection
The Selection Committee shall evaluate teachers based on the following important parameters.
- Special efforts made for improving educational standards.
- Encouraging students to participate in extracurricular activities.
- Preparation of innovative teaching-learning material.
- Educational innovations introduced in classrooms.
- Improvement in student learning outcomes.
- Innovative experiments undertaken by the teacher.
- Organization of extracurricular and co-curricular activities.
- Effective use of modern teaching methodologies.
Important Note
The District Selection Committee will thoroughly verify the credentials, achievements, service particulars, and performance of every applicant before recommending names for the State Awards.
Nomination Process for AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026
The Director of School Education has invited nominations for the AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026 under the following three categories.
| Sl.No | Mode of Nomination |
|---|---|
| 1 | Self Nomination |
| 2 | Recommendation by Five Fellow Teachers |
| 3 | Performance-based Selection through LEAP App |
1. Self Nomination
Applications are invited from eligible teachers working in the following institutions under the Department of School Education.
- Government Schools
- Zilla Parishad Schools
- Mandal Parishad Schools
- Municipal Schools
- Aided Schools
- AP Model Schools (APMS)
- APSWREIS Institutions
- APTWREIS Institutions
- ITDA Schools
- APREIS Institutions
- KGBVs
- DIETs (Lecturers / Senior Lecturers)
Note:
Eligible teachers belonging to the above categories may directly submit their applications through the prescribed self-nomination process.
2. Recommendation by Five Fellow Teachers
If an eligible teacher has not submitted a self-nomination, five fellow teachers may recommend that teacher for the State Best Teacher Award.
The recommendation shall be based on the teacher’s:
- Performance
- Academic achievements
- Professional contributions
- Evaluation parameters prescribed in Annexure-III
Important:
Five fellow teachers can recommend only an eligible teacher who has not already applied through self-nomination.
3. Performance-Based Selection through LEAP App
The State Government will shortlist the best-performing teachers through the LEAP App.
The performance evaluation shall primarily consider:
- Teacher Attendance
- Student Results
- Student Enrolment
The list of shortlisted teachers will be communicated to the respective Districts for further scrutiny by the District Selection Committee.
Important Note
The District Selection Committee shall recommend a teacher under only one of the above three nomination categories.
Selection Process Timeline (Offline)
| Activity | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Receipt of Applications from Teachers (All Categories) at Divisional Level | 01-07-2026 to 15-07-2026 |
| Scrutiny & Finalization of Applications at Divisional Level (1:3 Ratio) | 17-07-2026 to 21-07-2026 |
| Submission of Final List to District Educational Officer | 22-07-2026 |
| District Level Scrutiny & Finalization (1:1 Ratio) | 23-07-2026 to 27-07-2026 |
| Submission of Final District List to Director of School Education | 28-07-2026 |
| State Level Scrutiny | 03-08-2026 to 06-08-2026 |
| State Level Interviews | 10-08-2026 to 12-08-2026 |
| Shortlisting by State Selection Committee | 14-08-2026 |
| State Best Teacher Awards Function | 05-09-2026 |
Important Dates at a Glance
- Applications Start: 01 July 2026
- Applications Close: 15 July 2026
- District Final List: 28 July 2026
- State Interviews: 10–12 August 2026
- Final Shortlist: 14 August 2026
- Awards Ceremony: 05 September 2026
Selection Process for AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026
The following committees have been constituted for scrutinising and shortlisting the applications received from teachers in both Offline (District level) and Online (through LEAP App at State level) for selecting the best teachers for the State Awards – 2026.
Divisional Selection Committee
| Committee Member | Designation in Committee |
|---|---|
| Deputy Educational Officer | Chairman |
| Senior Lecturer / Lecturer in DIET | Member |
| Senior most MEO-I & II in the Concerned Division | Member |
| Eminent Educationist (Nominated by the DEO) | Member |
Recommendations by the Divisional Selection Committee
The recommendations by the Divisional Selection Committee regarding the selected teachers should not be more than 24 in the following three types of selection categories (Cadre-wise).
The Committee shall submit the following documents relating to the selected teachers:
- Self-Nomination Form
- Certificate of Antecedents & Character
- Approval copy by the District Selection Committee
- Marks awarded by the Committee along with their recommendations
- One JPJ model photo
- Citations not exceeding ten (10) lines on each selected teacher
The applications shall be submitted to the District Selection Committee i.e., the concerned District Educational Officers.
Category-Wise Applications from Each District at Divisional Level
| Teacher Category | Number of Applications |
|---|---|
| SGT | 06 |
| School Assistant | 12 |
| HM | 06 |
| Total Applications @ Each District | 24 |
Divisional Level Application Limit:
The Divisional Selection Committee shall recommend a maximum of 24 applications under the SGT, School Assistant and HM categories.
District Selection Committee
| Committee Member | Designation in Committee |
|---|---|
| District Collector | Chairman |
| District Educational Officer | Convener |
| Principal of DIET | Member |
| Eminent Educationist (Nominated by the District Collector) | Member |
| Any other District Level Officer (Nominated by the District Collector) | Member |
| Representative of Good Voluntary Organization interested in Education | Member |
Recommendations by the District Selection Committee
The recommendations by the District Selection Committee regarding the selected teachers should not be more than 8 in the following three types of selection categories (Cadre-wise).
The District Selection Committee shall submit the following documents relating to each selected teacher:
- Self-Nomination Form
- Certificate of Antecedents & Character
- Approval copy by the District Selection Committee
- Marks awarded by the Committee along with their recommendations
- One JPJ model photo
- Citations not exceeding ten (10) lines on each selected teacher
The selected applications shall be submitted to the State Level Committee i.e., Director of School Education, Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati.
Category-Wise Applications from Each District at District Level
| Teacher Category | Number of Applications |
|---|---|
| SGT | 02 |
| School Assistant | 04 |
| HM | 02 |
| Total Applications @ Each District | 08 |
District Level Application Limit:
The District Selection Committee shall recommend a maximum of 8 applications from each district: 2 SGTs, 4 School Assistants and 2 Head Masters.
State Selection Committee
The FINAL SELECTION will be made by the following State Selection Committee from among the names recommended by the District Selection Committee.
| Sl.No | Committee Member | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hon’ble Minister for Education, AP Secretariat, Amaravati | Chairman |
| 2 | The Secretary to Government, School Education Dept., Government of AP, Amaravati | Vice Chairman |
| 3 | The Director of School Education, AP, Amaravati | Convener |
| 4 | The Director, SCERT, AP, Mangalagiri | Member |
| 5 | Eminent Educationist (Nominated by the Government) | Member |
Final Selection of Teachers for State Awards
The State Level Committee selects the teachers for “State Awards” from the selection lists submitted by the District Selection Committee, duly limiting the number of awards category-wise.
State Level Final Selection:
Final selection for the AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026 will be made by the State Selection Committee from the names recommended by the District Selection Committees.
Celebration of District Level Best Teacher Awards 2026
Further, the District Collectors are requested to honour the Best Teachers on the occasion of Teachers’ Day on 5th September, 2026 at the District Level duly following the guidelines for selection of Best Teachers and constitute a District Level Committee for selecting the Best Teachers.
The District Level Best Teacher Awards shall be limited to the following categories.
| Sl.No | Category | Number of Awards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Head Master | 03 |
| 2 | School Assistant | 06 |
| 3 | Secondary Grade Teacher | 03 |
| 4 | PET / SA (PE) | 02 |
| 5 | Government Music & Dance Schools | 02 |
| 6 | Drawing Teacher | 02 |
| 7 | Vocational Instructor | 02 |
| 8 | Urdu Medium Teachers | 02 |
| 9 | Sanskrit / Arabic Language Teachers | 02 |
| 10 | Teachers working in Aided Schools | 02 |
| 11 | Teachers working in AP Model Schools | 02 |
| 12 | Teachers working in KGBVs | 02 |
| 13 | Teachers working in Residential Schools | 02 |
| 14 | Special Category / Outstanding Teachers | As decided by the competent authority |
Important Note:
The District Collectors shall honour the selected Best Teachers at the District Level on 5th September 2026, duly following the prescribed guidelines and selection procedure.
Wide Publicity for State Best Teacher Awards 2026
All the District Educational Officers in the State are requested to give wide publicity regarding the State Best Teacher Awards 2026 through newspapers and local mass media.
The District Educational Officers shall ensure that eligible teachers are informed about the awards, eligibility conditions, selection procedure and prescribed timelines.
Strict Compliance with Guidelines and Timelines
The District Educational Officers are requested to adhere to the guidelines and timelines scrupulously and submit the nominations of the selected teachers to the Director of School Education, Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati within the stipulated time.
Selection Process:
The selection of teachers for the State Awards shall be carried out through the prescribed Divisional Level, District Level and State Level Selection Committees by following the eligibility conditions, evaluation parameters and timelines issued by the Director of School Education.
Annexures of AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026
The following annexures are enclosed with the proceedings for the selection of teachers for the State Best Teachers Awards 2026.
| Annexure | Details |
|---|---|
| Annexure-I | Guidelines for Selection of Best Teachers |
| Annexure-II | Self-Nomination Form / Application Form |
| Annexure-III | Evaluation Parameters / Marks for Selection of Best Teachers |
AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Receipt of Applications | 01-07-2026 to 15-07-2026 |
| Divisional Level Scrutiny | 17-07-2026 to 21-07-2026 |
| Submission to District Educational Officer | 22-07-2026 |
| District Level Scrutiny | 23-07-2026 to 27-07-2026 |
| Submission of District Final List | 28-07-2026 |
| State Level Scrutiny | 03-08-2026 to 06-08-2026 |
| State Level Interviews | 10-08-2026 to 12-08-2026 |
| Final Shortlisting | 14-08-2026 |
| State Best Teacher Awards Function | 05-09-2026 |
AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026 – FAQs
What is the AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026?
The AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026 are State Awards instituted to honour outstanding teachers for their contribution towards improving educational standards and student learning outcomes.
When will the AP State Best Teacher Awards 2026 be presented?
The State Best Teacher Awards will be presented on the occasion of Teachers’ Day (Guru Pujotsavam) on 5th September 2026.
Who is eligible for the AP State Best Teacher Award 2026?
Eligible Teachers, Head Masters and Teacher Educators working in the prescribed Government, Local Body, Aided and other educational institutions may be considered subject to the eligibility conditions prescribed in the proceedings.
What is the minimum service required for the State Best Teacher Award?
Teachers, Head Masters and Teacher Educators should have rendered a minimum of 10 years of service.
Can a teacher who already received the State Best Teacher Award apply again?
No. Teachers who have already received the State Best Teacher Award earlier are not eligible.
What are the three methods of nomination?
The three methods are Self Nomination, Recommendation by Five Fellow Teachers and Performance-Based Selection through the LEAP App.
What is the last date for receipt of applications?
The last date for receipt of applications at the Divisional Level is 15th July 2026.
Who makes the final selection for the State Awards?
The final selection is made by the State Selection Committee from among the names recommended by the District Selection Committees.
AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026 – Conclusion
The AP State Best Teachers Awards 2026 selection process aims to identify and honour outstanding teachers who have contributed significantly to improving educational standards, student learning outcomes and innovative teaching practices.
Eligible teachers should carefully follow the prescribed eligibility conditions, nomination process and selection timelines. The State Best Teacher Awards will be presented during the Teachers’ Day (Guru Pujotsavam) celebrations on 5th September 2026.