Three Indian Educators Shine in Global Teacher Prize 2026 Top 50

New Delhi, December 16, 2025: In a moment of immense pride for the nation’s education sector, three exceptional Indian educators have been named among the Top 50 finalists for the prestigious $1 million Global Teacher Prize 2026. This annual award, established by the UK-based Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO, celebrates teachers worldwide who have made an extraordinary impact on their students and communities.

The three changemakers, selected from over 5,000 nominations across 139 countries, are: Sudhanshu Shekhar Panda, Mehraj Khourshid Malik, and Rouble Nagi. They represent the diverse and innovative spirit of teaching across India, from mainstream schools to grassroots community work.

Meet the Inspirational Educators

1. Sudhanshu Shekhar Panda: The Tech-Integrated Innovator

Sudhanshu Shekhar Panda, an Economics and Geography teacher from K L International School in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, has been recognized for his innovative and inclusive teaching methods.

• Key Work: He champions project-based learning, art-integrated instruction, and early technology adoption to cater to students from diverse backgrounds. His approach, which even incorporates Yoga, has consistently led to positive learning outcomes for his students.
• Community Impact: Beyond the classroom, Panda is the founder of Phuhaar, an initiative that provides essential resources, education, and guidance to underprivileged families.

2. Mehraj Khourshid Malik: The Peace-Building Mentor

Mehraj Khourshid Malik, an educator and community mentor from Jammu and Kashmir, has been shortlisted for his profound work in a conflict-affected zone, focusing on peace, healing, and de-radicalization.

• Key Work: After leaving a career at Microsoft, Malik dedicated himself to teaching, working not just in schools but also in rehabilitation centres, prisons, and religious institutions. His teaching blends emotional healing with ethics and psychology.
• Innovative Models: He is credited with creating two key intervention models: the Insaniyat Curriculum, an empathy-driven school program, and Sahi Rasta, a 23-day rehabilitation model designed for the region.

3. Rouble Nagi: The Slum and Rural Community Educator

Rouble Nagi is the third Indian finalist, honored for her pioneering efforts in bringing accessible education directly to India’s most underserved communities.

• Key Work: As the founder of the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF), she develops low-cost, accessible learning models. Her work is a testament to the belief that art can be a powerful tool for community development and education.
• Flagship Programmes: Her initiatives, Misaal Mumbai and Misaal India, combine crucial elements like art, education, sanitation, and community development across more than 100 slums and villages throughout the country.

A Global Platform for Unsung Heroes

The Global Teacher Prize, now in its 10th edition, aims to highlight the critical role teachers play in shaping minds and opening doors for young people’s futures. Indian-origin founder of the prize, Sunny Varkey, stated that the award was created with a simple mission: to celebrate educators whose dedication, creativity, and compassion deserve to be shared with the world.

The candidates are assessed on their teaching practices, how they innovate to address local challenges, achieve demonstrable learning outcomes, and impact the community beyond the classroom.

The list of 50 will now be narrowed down to the Top 10 finalists, and the eventual winner of the $1 million prize will be announced at the World Governments Summit in Dubai in February. India has a history of success, with Ranjitsinh Disale winning the prize in 2020. The nation now keenly awaits to see if one of these inspiring educators will bring the prestigious honor home once again.