Srinagar : Renowned Indian educator and social reformer Rouble Nagi has been awarded the prestigious $1 million GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2026, marking a historic moment for India after a gap of six years. The announcement was made at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where global leaders and educationists gathered to celebrate excellence in education.
The award, presented by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, recognises Rouble Nagi’s transformative grassroots work in education through art-led learning. The Global Teacher Prize is an initiative of the Varkey Foundation, organised in collaboration with UNESCO, and is considered the world’s most prestigious honour in the field of education.
Congratulating her on the achievement, Mr. Amanjeet Singh, State Coordinator, Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF), termed the honour a moment of immense pride for India and the global education community, stating that her work has redefined how learning can reach the most marginalised sections of society.
Over the past two decades, Rouble Nagi has established over 800 learning centres across more than 100 slums and villages in India, transforming abandoned and neglected walls into large-scale interactive murals. These murals teach literacy, numeracy, hygiene, environmental awareness and life skills, helping bring over one million children into formal education.
Expressing her gratitude, Rouble Nagi thanked His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Mr. Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Global Teacher Prize and GEMS Education, the Varkey Foundation, UNESCO, and the distinguished jury for recognising grassroots work rooted in education, compassion, consistency and service. She said the honour strengthens her resolve to continue working towards quality education for children.
Founded through her initiative Misaal India, Rouble Nagi’s work brings education to the doorsteps of underserved communities while also running skill centres that empower women with vocational and digital literacy, enabling them to become financially independent and village entrepreneurs. The prize money will be used to establish a Skilling Institute offering free vocational and digital training.
Mr. Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Global Teacher Prize, GEMS Education and the Varkey Foundation, said, “Rouble Nagi represents the very best of what teaching can be courage, creativity, compassion and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential. Her work strengthens not only individual lives but entire communities.”
Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, said, “Teachers like Rouble remind us that education can change the course of a life. UNESCO is honoured to celebrate her dedication to ensuring every child’s right to learn, dream and build a future.”
A defining feature of Rouble Nagi’s work is her innovative use of art as a tool for learning, turning classrooms into spaces of expression, imagination and healing. Her vision draws inspiration from social reformer Savitribai Phule, and she continues to follow the principle of empowerment through education without discrimination.
Dedicating the award to children across India, Rouble Nagi said the recognition belongs to every child whose dreams deserve opportunity and care. She also dedicated the honour to the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat, reaffirming her belief that education-led empowerment is central to building a developed, inclusive and self-reliant India.
She acknowledged inspiration from the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and from Nelson Mandela, whose life exemplified courage, resilience and compassion.
This landmark achievement stands as a moment of national pride, celebrating the enduring power of education, empathy and service-led leadership to transform India from the grassroots upward.
