First Principles Teachers Award
An annual award by IIT Madras, recognising pre-university educators who build deep understanding — not just exam readiness — in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
About FPTA
Most JEE preparation is a race — cover the syllabus, solve enough problems, clear the exam. But the students who truly thrive at IIT Madras, and beyond, are those who were taught to understand things from first principles. They had a teacher who slowed down, who asked "why does this work?", who made the subject feel alive.
The First Principles Teachers Award was created to find those teachers and recognise them. It is run by AskIITM and IIT Madras, and is open to pre-university educators across India who teach Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics. Nominations come from current IITM students and alumni who credit that teacher with changing how they think.
Awards are presented by the Director of IIT Madras at an annual ceremony on campus.
The Process
"Teachers at school play the most influential part in shaping student careers. They inspire the spark of curiosity that stays with a student for life. This crucial contribution many times goes unnoticed — FPTA is our way of changing that."
Past Winners
If a teacher changed the way you understand Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics — nominate them. Nominations are open to current IITM students and alumni.