Teachers’ Day 2026 will be celebrated across India on Saturday, 5 September 2026. It is the day we honour the teachers who shape our minds, values, and futures. Below we explain the history and significance of Teachers’ Day, the life of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in whose memory it is observed, and simple ways to thank your own teachers this year.
Say thank you in seconds — create a free Teachers’ Day card for your teacher and share it on WhatsApp.
When is Teachers’ Day 2026?
In India, Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year on 5 September, the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. In 2026, the day falls on a Saturday. (World Teachers’ Day, observed globally, is marked separately on 5 October.)
Significance of Teachers’ Day
We celebrate Teachers’ Day in honour of Dr. Radhakrishnan’s birthday and his belief that “teachers should be the best minds in the country.” The day is a reminder to pause and appreciate the guidance, patience, and hard work of the educators who help students become their best selves.
About Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a distinguished 20th-century scholar and philosopher, was the first Vice President and the second President of India. He was awarded a knighthood in 1931 and the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 1954. A teacher at heart, he taught for about 16 years before entering public life, and his birthday has been observed as Teachers’ Day since 1962.
When he became the President of India, some of his students wished to celebrate his birthday. He replied, “Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if 5 September is observed as Teachers’ Day.”
Lesser-Known Facts About Dr. Radhakrishnan
- As Vice-President, he presided over Rajya Sabha sessions. Whenever members grew heated, he would calm the House by quoting slokas from Sanskrit classics or lines from the Bible.
- He argued that Indian philosophy fully merits the term ‘philosophy’ in the Western sense, and is widely credited with placing Indian philosophy on the world map.
- A lifelong academic, he held distinguished teaching and lecturing positions in India and abroad, and authored influential works on Indian thought.
His Views on Teachers and Education
Dr. Radhakrishnan believed a teacher must create an environment that nurtures students with warmth, kindness, and enthusiasm, and that giving every student a chance to lead builds confidence. Mutual respect between teacher and student, he said, creates a supportive and collaborative classroom where learners feel safe to express their ideas and to listen to others.
He also warned that the world of scientific facts and the world of values are different: if education does not build wisdom and humanity in the hearts and minds of people, even its scientific and technological triumphs would be meaningless. For him, education was the enlightenment of the soul that dispels ignorance and illuminates the individual.
How to Thank Your Teacher on Teachers’ Day 2026
A few heartfelt words can mean more to a teacher than any gift. This Teachers’ Day, make a personalised thank-you card in seconds — pick a design, add your message, and share it instantly on WhatsApp.
Wishing all teachers a very Happy Teachers’ Day 2026!
