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India observed Teachers' Day on 5 September 2026, the 138th birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
Radhakrishnan was born on 5 September 1888 at Thiruttani in the then Madras Presidency and asked that his birthday be marked as Teachers' Day rather than as a personal celebration.
He was India's first Vice-President (1952-1962) and second President (1962-1967), and received the Bharat Ratna in 1954 in the award's very first year.
A philosopher by profession, he held the Spalding Professorship of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Oxford from 1936.
The National Teachers' Awards, conferred by the President on this day, honoured 48 school teachers in 2026.
Born at Thiruttani, Madras Presidency (in present-day Tamil Nadu).
Appointed Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Oxford.
Becomes the first Vice-President of independent India.
Awarded the Bharat Ratna, alongside C. Rajagopalachari and C. V. Raman, in the award's inaugural year.
Elected the second President of India; his birthday begins to be observed as Teachers' Day.
Completes his presidential term.
Dies, leaving a body of work on Indian philosophy and comparative religion.
Administers school and higher education and organises the National Teachers' Awards conferred on Teachers' Day. Renamed from the Ministry of Human Resource Development in July 2020.
Instituted World Teachers' Day in 1994 to mark the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers; observed on 5 October, separate from India's national observance.
GS Paper I > Modern Indian History: personalities; GS Paper II > Education
General Awareness > Important Days and Personalities
India's highest civilian award, instituted in 1954; Radhakrishnan was among its first three recipients.
The chair of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Oxford, held by Radhakrishnan from 1936.
Central government awards presented by the President of India to school teachers on Teachers' Day.