Three educators from India have been shortlisted for the USD 1 million Global Teacher Prize 2026 . The Varkey Foundation announced the top 50 nominees on Monday. Sudhanshu Shekhar Panda, Mehraj Khourshid Malik, and Rouble Nagi are the Indian candidates. The prize recognizes outstanding teachers worldwide for their impactful work.
The Global Teacher Prize is an annual competition. It is now in its 10th edition. The UK-based Varkey Foundation organizes the prize in collaboration with UNESCO. This year, the prize received over 5,000 nominations. These nominations came from 139 countries globally. The prize aims to highlight educators whose dedication, creativity, and compassion benefit students and communities.
Sudhanshu Shekhar Panda: Innovative Teaching
Sudhanshu Shekhar Panda teaches Economics and Geography at K L International School in Meerut. He was shortlisted for his diverse work with students. His innovative approach combines project-based learning with art-integrated instruction. Panda also champions early technology adoption and Yoga practices in his classroom. These methods consistently demonstrate positive learning outcomes for his students. Beyond the classroom, Panda founded Phuhaar. This initiative provides education, essential resources, and guidance to underprivileged families. Phuhaar operates to support vulnerable communities.
Mehraj Khourshid Malik: Peacebuilding in Kashmir
Mehraj Khourshid Malik works as an educator and community mentor in Kashmir. His primary focus involves peacebuilding, emotional healing, and de-radicalization within the conflict-affected region. Malik made a career change, leaving a position at Microsoft. He has since dedicated nearly a decade to teaching. His teaching roles span various settings including schools, religious institutions, rehabilitation centers, and prisons. Malik developed two distinct intervention models. The Insaniyat Curriculum is an empathy-driven, year-round school program. Sahi Rasta offers a 23-day rehabilitation model specifically designed for the region.
Rouble Nagi: Art and Education for Underserved Communities
Rouble Nagi is the third Indian educator to receive a shortlist nomination. She founded the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF). This foundation focuses on creating low-cost, accessible learning models. These models are designed to bring education directly into underserved neighborhoods. Her flagship programs are Misaal Mumbai and Misaal India. These initiatives integrate art, education, sanitation, and community development. They currently operate in over 100 slums and villages across India, impacting thousands of lives.
Global Teacher Prize Assessment Criteria
Prize organizers assess nominees against stringent criteria. Evaluations consider teaching practices and innovation in addressing local educational challenges. Candidates must demonstrate verifiable learning outcomes. Their impact on the community extends beyond the classroom. Nominees are also judged on their efforts to help children become global citizens. Improving the teaching profession is another key criterion. Finally, external recognition for their work contributes to the assessment.
- Teaching practices
- Innovation to address local challenges
- Demonstrable learning outcomes
- Impact on the community beyond the classroom
- Contribution to global citizenship in children
- Improvement of the teaching profession
- Recognition from external bodies
Next Steps: Finalists and Winner Announcement
The Global Teacher Prize committee will announce the top 10 finalists. Following this, a dedicated Global Teacher Prize Academy will select the overall winner. The final announcement will occur at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. The winner of the USD 1 million prize will be named in February .