Why Teachers’ Day Is Celebrated on September 5 in India: History, Significance and 2026 Celebrations
Teachers’ Day in India is celebrated on September 5 every year to honour teachers and recognise their contribution to education and society. Schools and colleges across the country mark the occasion with cultural programmes, performances, games and special activities. But the choice of September 5 has a deeper connection with one of India’s most respected scholars, philosophers and educationists - Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan .
The tradition began in 1962, when Radhakrishnan became the President of India. His students and admirers wanted to celebrate his birthday, but he suggested that the occasion should instead be observed as Teachers’ Day. His response reflected the importance he placed on teaching and the teaching profession.
Since then, September 5 has become an annual occasion to express gratitude towards teachers and acknowledge their role in shaping students and society.
In several schools, senior students also take over classroom duties and teach younger students for a day. Teachers may step away from their regular roles and participate in games or other activities.
Another popular tradition is for students to imitate or enact their teachers in a light-hearted and respectful manner. This creates a role reversal where students become teachers and educators get a chance to enjoy a more relaxed day.
He taught philosophy at several institutions and served as the Vice-Chancellor of both Andhra University and Banaras Hindu University. He later became India's first Vice-President before serving as the country's second President.
His association with education is one of the key reasons his birthday became connected with Teachers’ Day.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee, while speaking about Teachers’ Day, highlighted Radhakrishnan’s belief that the purpose of education extended beyond acquiring information. His philosophy placed importance on reason, independent thought and democratic values.
This broader vision continues to shape the significance of Teachers’ Day. The occasion is therefore not only about thanking individual teachers but also about recognising education as a force that helps build responsible citizens.
In 1948, the Government of India established the University Education Commission, with Radhakrishnan as its chairman. The commission examined the condition of university education and considered how India's higher education system could respond to the country's changing needs.
Its recommendations covered areas including university education, teaching standards, research and academic organisation. The 1948-49 report subsequently became an important reference point in the development of education policy in independent India.
The commission's work also contributed to the origin of the concept of institutions being recognised as “deemed to be universities”.
On September 5, President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards on 48 school teachers in New Delhi. The recipients have been selected through a three-stage process involving district, state and national-level selection.
The awardees represent 27 states, seven Union Territories and six central government organisations.
The National Teachers’ Awards were instituted in 1958 to recognise teachers who have made significant contributions to school education and positively influenced the lives of their students.
The coincidence adds another layer of significance to this year's observance as the country remembers his contribution to education, philosophy and public life.
India celebrates Teachers’ Day on September 5, while World Teachers’ Day is observed internationally on October 5.
UNESCO says World Teachers’ Day has been celebrated since 1994. October 5 commemorates the adoption of the 1966 ILO-UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, which established international standards related to teachers' rights, responsibilities, preparation, employment and working conditions.
In 2026, World Teachers’ Day will mark the 60th anniversary of the 1966 recommendation, with attention focused on protecting and advancing the status of teachers in a changing world.
The choice of September 5 connects these celebrations to Radhakrishnan’s belief that education should nurture reason, independent thinking and responsible citizenship. More than six decades after the tradition began, the day continues to provide students with an opportunity to recognise the people who help shape their future.
Why Is Teachers’ Day Celebrated on September 5?
India celebrates Teachers’ Day on September 5 because the date marks the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on September 5, 1888.The tradition began in 1962, when Radhakrishnan became the President of India. His students and admirers wanted to celebrate his birthday, but he suggested that the occasion should instead be observed as Teachers’ Day. His response reflected the importance he placed on teaching and the teaching profession.
Since then, September 5 has become an annual occasion to express gratitude towards teachers and acknowledge their role in shaping students and society.
How Do Schools Celebrate Teachers’ Day?
Teachers’ Day often brings a fun change to the usual school routine. Students organise special programmes, cultural performances, games and activities for their teachers.In several schools, senior students also take over classroom duties and teach younger students for a day. Teachers may step away from their regular roles and participate in games or other activities.
Another popular tradition is for students to imitate or enact their teachers in a light-hearted and respectful manner. This creates a role reversal where students become teachers and educators get a chance to enjoy a more relaxed day.
Who Was Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan?
Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was much more than India’s second President. He was a renowned philosopher, scholar, teacher and educationist who spent a significant part of his career in academia.He taught philosophy at several institutions and served as the Vice-Chancellor of both Andhra University and Banaras Hindu University. He later became India's first Vice-President before serving as the country's second President.
His association with education is one of the key reasons his birthday became connected with Teachers’ Day.
Radhakrishnan’s Vision of Education
For Radhakrishnan, education was not simply about memorising information or passing examinations. He believed that education should help people develop the ability to think independently, reason logically and become responsible members of society.Former President Pranab Mukherjee, while speaking about Teachers’ Day, highlighted Radhakrishnan’s belief that the purpose of education extended beyond acquiring information. His philosophy placed importance on reason, independent thought and democratic values.
This broader vision continues to shape the significance of Teachers’ Day. The occasion is therefore not only about thanking individual teachers but also about recognising education as a force that helps build responsible citizens.
How Did Radhakrishnan Shape Higher Education in India?
Radhakrishnan played an important role in shaping India's higher education system after Independence.In 1948, the Government of India established the University Education Commission, with Radhakrishnan as its chairman. The commission examined the condition of university education and considered how India's higher education system could respond to the country's changing needs.
Its recommendations covered areas including university education, teaching standards, research and academic organisation. The 1948-49 report subsequently became an important reference point in the development of education policy in independent India.
The commission's work also contributed to the origin of the concept of institutions being recognised as “deemed to be universities”.
Teachers’ Day 2026 : National Teachers’ Awards
Teachers’ Day 2026 will have another important highlight — the presentation of the National Teachers’ Awards.On September 5, President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards on 48 school teachers in New Delhi. The recipients have been selected through a three-stage process involving district, state and national-level selection.
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The awardees represent 27 states, seven Union Territories and six central government organisations.
The National Teachers’ Awards were instituted in 1958 to recognise teachers who have made significant contributions to school education and positively influenced the lives of their students.
September 5, 2026: Radhakrishnan’s Death Anniversary Connection
Teachers’ Day 2026 also has a notable connection to Radhakrishnan’s life. September 5, 2026 marks the 51st death anniversary year of the former President, who died on April 17, 1975.The coincidence adds another layer of significance to this year's observance as the country remembers his contribution to education, philosophy and public life.
Is Teachers’ Day the Same as World Teachers’ Day?
No. India’s Teachers’ Day and World Teachers’ Day are observed on different dates.India celebrates Teachers’ Day on September 5, while World Teachers’ Day is observed internationally on October 5.
UNESCO says World Teachers’ Day has been celebrated since 1994. October 5 commemorates the adoption of the 1966 ILO-UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, which established international standards related to teachers' rights, responsibilities, preparation, employment and working conditions.
In 2026, World Teachers’ Day will mark the 60th anniversary of the 1966 recommendation, with attention focused on protecting and advancing the status of teachers in a changing world.
Why Teachers’ Day Remains Important
Teachers’ Day is ultimately a reminder that education goes beyond classrooms, textbooks and examinations. Teachers influence how students think, develop their abilities and understand their responsibilities towards society.The choice of September 5 connects these celebrations to Radhakrishnan’s belief that education should nurture reason, independent thinking and responsible citizenship. More than six decades after the tradition began, the day continues to provide students with an opportunity to recognise the people who help shape their future.
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