Teachers’ Day 2026: Why India Celebrates September 5 and Remembers Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s Lasting Legacy in Education
By : Alia Kashmiri
Every year on September 5, schools and educational institutions across India celebrate Teachers’ Day as a mark of respect and gratitude towards educators.
The day is more than just another occasion on the academic calendar. It is an opportunity for students to recognise the teachers who guide them, encourage their ambitions and play an important role in shaping their future. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Teachers influence much more than a student’s academic progress. They help build confidence, develop values and often inspire young people to discover their abilities.
Why Is Teachers’ Day Celebrated on September 5?
India’s Teachers’ Day is closely associated with Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, one of the country’s most respected scholars, philosophers and statesmen.
Dr Radhakrishnan served as India’s first Vice President and second President. However, before entering public life, he had a long and distinguished career in education and academia.
The tradition of observing September 5 as Teachers’ Day began in 1962, when Dr Radhakrishnan became President of India.
When some of his students and admirers wanted to celebrate his birthday on September 5, he suggested that the day should instead be observed as Teachers’ Day. His response reflected his deep respect for the teaching profession and his belief in the importance of education.
Dr Radhakrishnan taught at institutions including the University of Mysore and the University of Calcutta. He later served as the Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford.
His life remains closely connected with education, scholarship and the pursuit of knowledge.
The Importance of Teachers in Society
Teachers have a role that extends far beyond teaching lessons from textbooks.
A good teacher can encourage a struggling student, build confidence in a young learner and help children understand the importance of discipline, kindness and responsibility.
In today’s rapidly changing world, teachers are also mentors and guides. Students have access to more information than ever before, but teachers help them understand, question and use that information responsibly.
For many people, a teacher becomes one of the most influential figures in their early years.
Teachers’ Day in India and World Teachers’ Day
India celebrates Teachers’ Day on September 5, while World Teachers’ Day is observed internationally on October 5.
World Teachers’ Day focuses on the importance of supporting educators and recognising their contribution to education around the world.
India’s September 5 celebration, meanwhile, has a more personal connection with Dr Radhakrishnan and reflects the country’s long-standing respect for the bond between teachers and students.
How Schools Celebrate Teachers’ Day
Teachers’ Day is celebrated in different ways across India.
Students often organise cultural programmes, write messages and cards for their teachers, decorate classrooms and present small tokens of appreciation. In many schools, senior students also take on the role of teachers for a day and conduct classes.
These celebrations give students an opportunity to express their gratitude while allowing teachers to enjoy a lighter and more memorable day with their students.
The occasion is also marked at the national level, with the President of India presenting National Teachers’ Awards to educators recognised for their outstanding contribution to education.
A Reminder to Be Grateful
Teachers’ Day is ultimately about recognising the people who help shape the next generation.
Behind every successful doctor, engineer, artist, scientist, entrepreneur or public servant is a teacher who once helped them learn, encouraged them to keep going or simply believed in their potential.
As India celebrates Teachers’ Day on September 5, the occasion offers a simple reminder: education shapes lives, and teachers help shape the people those lives become.
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