On June 18, 2025, the Sahitya Akademi, India’s premier institution for literary arts, revealed the recipients of its prestigious Yuva Puraskar and Bal Sahitya Puraskar for the year. A total of 23 young authors have been selected for the Yuva Puraskar, while 24 authors will be honored with the Bal Sahitya Puraskar, reflecting the Akademi’s continued commitment to nurturing literature across multiple Indian languages.
Recognized as the country’s National Academy of Letters, Sahitya Akademi plays a central role in literary exchange, publication, and promotion in India. It remains the only institution in the nation that conducts literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English. Through these awards, the Akademi celebrates emerging talent and encourages a younger generation of writers to contribute meaningfully to Indian literature.
This year, the Yuva Puraskar will be awarded in 23 languages. Among the recipients is Advait Kottary, chosen for his contribution in English. The award in Hindi has gone to Parvati Tirkey, while Latshmihar has been named the Tamil awardee, and Prasad Suri will be honored for his work in Telugu. Notably, no award will be given in Dogri this year.
The list of winners also includes Suprakash Bhuyan for Assamese, Sudeshna Moitra for Bengali, R. Dileepkumar for Kannada, and Akhil P. Dharmajan for Malayalam. These writers, all under the age of 35, were recognized for their outstanding literary works in their respective languages, selected after a careful and structured evaluation process.
According to an official statement from the Sahitya Akademi, “The Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi in its meeting held today, under the Chairmanship of its President, Sri Madhav Kaushik approved selection of 23 writers who were selected on the basis of recommendations made by the Jury comprising three members each in the concerned language in accordance with the rules and procedure laid down for the purpose.” This underscores the meticulous and rule-based approach that the Akademi follows in ensuring transparency and merit in the selection process.
In addition to the Yuva Puraskar recipients, the Akademi also announced the names of 24 authors who will be honored with the Bal Sahitya Puraskar, awarded to writers contributing significantly to children’s literature in the country.
For the Bal Sahitya Puraskar in English, the honor goes to Nitin Kushalappa MP, whose book of stories titled Dakshin South Indian Myths and Fables Retold impressed the jury with its engaging retelling of regional myths and folktales. In the Hindi category, the award will be presented to Sushil Shukla for Ek Batey Bara, a work that has resonated deeply with young readers and critics alike.
Other Bal Puraskar awardees include Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay for Bengali, K. Shivalingappa Handihal for Kannada, Nayana Adarkar for Konkani, Sreejith Moothedath for Malayalam, Vishnupuram Saravanan for Tamil, and Gangisetti Sivakumar for Telugu. These writers have been commended for their creativity, language skills, and the ability to connect with children through meaningful and imaginative storytelling.
These awards serve to spotlight the diverse literary voices rising from different parts of India and writing in different tongues. By honoring authors in such a wide range of languages, the Sahitya Akademi emphasizes the richness of India’s multilingual literary landscape.
All winners of both the Yuva Puraskar and Bal Sahitya Puraskar will receive a distinguished honor consisting of a specially designed casket that includes an engraved copper plaque and a monetary reward of ₹50,000. The awards will be presented at a formal ceremony to be held at a later date, as per tradition.
This annual recognition by the Sahitya Akademi not only acknowledges the literary achievements of the present but also aims to inspire future generations of writers. The Yuva Puraskar, focused on young writers, recognizes contemporary themes, innovative narratives, and promising voices in Indian literature. Meanwhile, the Bal Sahitya Puraskar underscores the importance of children’s literature in shaping young minds and preserving cultural heritage through stories.
Over the years, these awards have significantly contributed to bringing regional literature to the forefront, offering a platform for writers from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Through its robust evaluation mechanism involving language-specific juries and a well-defined selection process, the Akademi continues to uphold high literary standards.
With this year’s announcements, the Sahitya Akademi reinforces its role as a key promoter of literary excellence in India. The institution’s commitment to celebrating both emerging and established writers ensures that the country’s literary heritage continues to evolve and flourish across generations.
As the winners prepare to be honored, their contributions serve as a testament to the enduring power of words and storytelling. These awards stand not only as recognition but also as encouragement, motivating writers to explore deeper narratives, cultural roots, and imaginative landscapes.
By nurturing literary voices across different age groups and languages, the Sahitya Akademi remains central to India’s cultural and intellectual fabric, ensuring that literature continues to thrive in all corners of the country.