Teachers' Day 2026: Why India Marks September 5 Every Year

Shantanu Thakur

05 Sep 2026

2 Min

Teachers' Day is observed across India every year on September 5, giving students a chance to honour their teachers and mentors for their contributions. Schools and colleges mark the occasion with cultural events, speeches, competitions, cards and gift-giving, among other activities. The date carries historical significance, as it is linked to Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, regarded as one of India's greatest philosophers, scholars and statesmen, who was born on September 5, 1888.

Why September 5 Was Chosen

India celebrates Teachers' Day on September 5 in honour of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's birthday. According to the story behind the date, when his students and friends insisted on celebrating his birthday, he suggested that instead of marking it as his own birthday, the day be observed as Teachers' Day. This made the observance more meaningful and gave recognition to educators as a whole.

About Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in Tiruttani, in the erstwhile Madras Presidency. He graduated from Madras Christian College and went on to become a philosophy professor at renowned institutions such as the University of Mysore and the University of Calcutta. Through his scholarly work, particularly in philosophy and comparative religion, he played an important role in introducing Indian philosophical traditions to the West, and later held the post of Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Oxford. For Radhakrishnan, education was not just about knowledge; it also involved reason, character and responsible citizenship.

Radhakrishnan's Political Career

Although best known for his work in education and philosophy, Radhakrishnan also held two of India's highest constitutional positions. He served as India's first Vice-President from 1952 to 1962, and then became the country's second President in 1962, serving till 1967. His move from a career in academia into politics was rooted in his broader belief that education was key to nation-building.

Ques. I have lost my internet connection while taking an online test. Can I resume the online test series once the connection is back?

Ans. Yes, you can continue the test once your internet connection is back, the test will resume from where you had left.

Ques. I do not have a computer or a laptop. Is there any alternative through which I can take the online tests?

Ans. Yes, you can access every online test series through your mobile phone as well. You can download the Prepp App from the play store/ app store for a smoother process.

Ques. What happens if I get disconnected during a test?

Ans. If you get disconnected while attempting a test, all your data till the disconnection will get saved and you will be able to resume from the same state later. You are advised to keep the test window open in this case.

Ques. I have completed a mock test. When will I get my score?

Ans. On submission of your mock test, your score and rank would be immediately generated. The ranking is dynamic in nature and it would change as more users attempt that mock test.

Ques. Can I attempt a previous year test more than once?

Ans. A previous year test can be attempted as many times as time you wish and you can review the solutions and analysis of the attempted tests as many times as you want.

Ques. Do you also provide solutions for the questions?

Ans. Yes, detailed solutions will be available to you after you finish the test. You will be able to access these solutions anytime after you have taken the test.

Ques. Will I get any report card after the test?

Ans. Yes, you will get a detailed analysis of your performance after submitting the test.