As Indian education accelerates into a digitally enabled future, institutions, innovators, and EdTech pioneers are leading transformation with purpose, creativity, and impact. At the heart of this evolution is the TechEDU India Awards 2026 by ETEducation from The Economic Times, the third edition of one of the country’s most respected accolades in education technology – presented as a flagship part of the TechEDU India Summit 2026.
Designed to spotlight excellence, these awards recognise visionary leaders shaping the future of learning, trailblazing K-12 schools, forward-thinking universities, and technology innovators and solution providers who are leveraging digital transformation, AI, and next-generation learning tools to reshape how students learn, how educators teach, and how education systems adapt to the demands of tomorrow.
With nominations open through 20 January 2026, now is the moment for stakeholders across the education landscape to demonstrate their achievements, benchmark against the best, and secure national recognition for their innovations.
A Jury That Defines Credibility and Expertise
What sets the TechEDU India Awards apart is the rigour and integrity of its judging process – led by a distinguished panel of academic luminaries and industry experts. Their validation is more than symbolic: it is a stamp of credibility that signals outstanding achievement and future-ready progress.
The Grand Jury tasked with identifying overall winners – features some of India’s most eminent academic leaders, including:
- Prof (Dr) Amit Patra, Director, IIT BHU
- Prof Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi
- Prof Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore
- Prof Sanjeev Prashar, Director, IIM Raipur
- Prof (Dr) M Krishnan, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Tamil Nadu
- Mamta Saikia, Former CEO, Bharti Airtel Foundation
And many more…
These thought leaders bring decades of experience in governance, research, technology adoption, and institutional leadership – essential in identifying initiatives that have a transformative impact. Their collective expertise ensures a merit-driven selection process that favours vision and execution equally, assessing entries on criteria such as technology integration, innovation, scalability, and measurable impact.Why this matters for universities, K-12 schools, and tech-enabled education enterprises
In an era where technology is seamlessly integrated into every facet of education – from personalised learning and AI-driven assessment to hybrid learning environments and smart campus infrastructure – the TechEDU India Awards offer more than accolades. They represent:
- National recognition among peers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders
- Validation by a credible, independent jury of academic and industry leaders
- Benchmarking against the most impactful practices in digital education
- Enhanced visibility through wide media amplification and network effects
For K-12 schools, universities, and EdTech organisations looking to elevate their brand and reach, a nomination is not just an application – it is a statement of leadership and ambition.
The awards recognise excellence across multiple categories, including:
- Excellence in AI-Integrated Higher Education
- Excellence in Digital & Skills-Based Vocational Education
- Excellence in Technology-Driven Industry-Academia Collaboration
- Excellence in Next-Gen Digital & Blended Learning Innovation
- Digital Visionary in Education Transformation
- Outstanding K-12 School in Technology Integration
- Excellence in STEM & Innovation Education
- Excellence in NEP/NCF-Aligned & Future-Ready Schooling
- Outstanding Technology-Driven School Network (Group/Chain)
- Excellence in K–12 EdTech Innovation
- Excellence in Higher Education EdTech Innovation
- Excellence in SkillTech & Career Readiness Solutions
& many more…
A call to nominate
The window for nominations remains open until 20 January 2026. Education leaders, institutions, and technology-enabled organisations that have demonstrated meaningful innovation, technology solutions, strong impact narratives, and measurable progress in transforming learning outcomes are encouraged to put forward their work. From smart classrooms and blended learning models to AI-enabled personalised pathways and scalable platforms, the awards seek entries that demonstrate both innovation and effectiveness.
In an education ecosystem increasingly shaped by digital transformation, the TechEDU India Awards 2026 stand as a powerful platform to highlight excellence, inspire peers, and contribute to a more inclusive and future-ready learning landscape. The spotlight will be on those who don’t just adapt to change, but lead it – and the country’s most respected jury is ready to evaluate and celebrate such pioneers.
