Celebrating exceptional leaders in Education.
Applications for 2027 are open!
As part of Shikshagraha, we believe that every step toward education equity deserves to be celebrated, especially the leaders—often unsung—who make this vision a reality.
The Shikshagraha Awards recognises the leaders who go above and beyond their roles to build an equitable and inclusive education ecosystem.
The awards are more than recognition; it’s about amplifying stories of courage and inspiring action across the movement towards education equity.
The 2027 awards will be presented at InvokED, an annual global dialogue on education leadership where experts, educators, and changemakers come together to shape the movement towards education equity. The next InvokED is scheduled for February 26 & 27, 2027.
Batskhem Thabah tackled challenges of school disrepair, low student attendance, and safety concerns that emerged after the COVID-19 closures. Through practical interventions, improved learning spaces, and community engagement initiatives, he not only enhanced student participation and motivation but also strengthened ties between the school and local families, creating a safer, more supportive, and inclusive environment for learning.
In Kishanganj, Bihar—where poverty, low awareness, and social barriers once kept many girls from completing their education—Kumari Guddi bridged the gap between school and society, turning classrooms into hubs of learning, protection, and empowerment for children and adolescents alike.
In rural India, science education often revolves around rote learning and exams, leaving little room for curiosity. Nellori Subrahmanyam has revolutionised rural science education by replacing rote memorisation with hands-on experimentation, transforming how over 55,000 students experience learning.
Headmaster of Vallalar Government HSS in Tamil Nadu, Xavier transformed a school plagued by infrastructural decay and community distrust. He introduced extracurricular activities, counselling, and medical camps to tackle student issues and brought unity by breaking caste divisions—impacting 1,100+ students and creating a change model.
As Headmaster, Ranjan revitalised his school by raising funds for renovations, improving infrastructure, and launching innovative learning programs. Enrollment grew by 169%, and students achieved national recognition in academics and sports.
An Anganwadi supervisor, Rajitha strengthened early childhood education across 90 centres in remote tribal areas. She built trust, improved teaching quality, tackled child marriage, and drove parental involvement—ensuring better learning for marginalised communities.
At just 17, Muskan runs Kitabi Masti, a library that nurtures learning for 100+ children daily. Starting at the age of nine, she grew her initiative to 4,000+ books, inspiring government recognition and replication. Her vision proves that age is no barrier to impact.
In a remote tribal village where poverty, child labour, and rigid social norms once pushed education out of reach—especially for girls—Mamata’s interventions in menstrual hygiene awareness, child marriage prevention, and girls' sports have directly impacted over 1,250 children.
When students returned after COVID with severe learning loss and disengagement, Indu Batra led a quiet yet powerful turnaround at Andrews Ganj—rebuilding learning, restoring school routines, and forging strong community partnerships to demonstrate how visionary leadership can revive a government school.
For the Rongmei Naga community, education has often felt like a system that erases rather than empowers—overlooking Indigenous history, knowledge, and identity, and pushing many children toward alienation. Kabithui reimagined learning through the traditional Khangchu, a community space rooted in culture and helped children reconnect with their identity while gaining skills for the modern world.
In Srinagar’s BHSS Soura schools, children with special needs often felt invisible, with few inclusive materials or trained teachers. Dr. Urfana Amin changed this by creating hands-on, multisensory learning, training teachers, engaging families, and involving students as co-creators, impacting over 500 students.
Savita Ji transformed her Anganwadi centre from a barren, under-resourced space into a vibrant, child-friendly hub. Through initiatives like a kitchen garden, Bal Cabinet, and community Yuva Sanghathan, she improved learning, nutrition, and engagement, positively impacting more than 1,000 familiess while creating a sustainable model for holistic early childhood education.
In classrooms where teachers were overburdened, resources were scarce, and guidance was unclear, he built simple AI tools that turned confusion into clarity, shortage into support, and everyday teaching into joyful, equitable, and engaging learning experiences for every student, empowering both teachers and learners alike.
In Budgam, where poverty, illness, and instability often pull children out of school, Sheikh Altaf brought learning back — by walking door to door, building trust with families, engaging local leaders, and weaving health, community, and education initiatives together so every child could safely return to the classroom and stay engaged in learning.
Who is a leader?
Exceptional education leaders create a ripple effect that transforms countless student lives. They refuse to give up. Their unwavering dedication inspires others to join the movement for education equity.
champions continuous improvement in education
believes in the power of collective action to spark change
commits to making education equitable and inclusive
To honour individuals whose leadership contributes to advancing education equity.
To inspire future leaders to continue advocating for inclusive education.
To strengthen Shikshagraha’s mission of promoting education for all, regardless of background or circumstance.
The awards aim to reflect the diverse leadership driving the education equity movement, encompassing:
Leaders Within the Formal Education System:
Individuals working within schools, government, or institutional frameworks.
Leaders Outside the Formal Education System (Community):
Grassroots leaders making a tangible impact in underserved communities.
Nominations will be assessed on:
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Sustained efforts and consistent improvements over time.
Collaboration & Engagement
Effective partnership with diverse stakeholders beyond usual duties.
Innovation & Creativity
Unique approaches to tackle educational challenges effectively.
Inclusivity & Equity
Deliberate actions to support marginalised groups and ensure fair access.
The selection follows a rigorous multi-stage process:
Application period
Screening Process
Interviews and Selection
Award to be presented at InvokED 6.0
An esteemed jury of eminent leaders
Former Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Founder - Goonj and Gram Swabhimaan Ramon Magsaysay Awardee.
Professor of Economic Policy, Blavatnik School of Government & Department of Economics, University of Oxford; Former Chief Economist at the DFID, UK.
Professor of Strategy and Management, INSEAD; Board of Advisors, ShikshaLokam.
Former Director - Mahila Samakhya, Andhra Pradesh.
Educationist, Social Enterpreneur & Women's Rights Advocate.
Awardees will receive
Monetary Reward
(paid over two years)
Trophy and
Certificate of Excellence
Mentorship Opportunities
visibility on Shikshagraha’s platforms, and speaking engagements
Nominate Now
