Nalanda Literature Festival (NLF) Awards 2025

Rules & Regulations for Participants

Eligibility Criteria

• The author must be 35 years of age or below at the time of the book’s publication.
• Eligible books must have been first published within the last two years preceding the year of the award. (Published in the Calendar Year 2024/25)
• Reprints and new editions of previously published works are not eligible.
• Categories:
  1. Fiction (novels, novellas, short stories)
  2. Non-Fiction (biographies, memoirs, essays, narrative, research-based works)
  3. Poetry (collections of poems)
  4. Translation (literary works translated into English to the regional languages of Bihar & vice versa)
  5. Writing (Fiction, Poetry and Non-fiction) in any North-East languages.

Submission Guidelines

• Entries can be applied by either the writer or the publisher.
  1. Submissions are to be received online in e-book or Kindle format. In case such editions are not available, hard copies may be submitted to the address mentioned below.
  2. Each entry must include: three physical copies of the book (if hard copy submission), a completed entry form with author/translator details (including proof of age at publication), a brief synopsis (300–500 words), and author/translator bio (max 200 words).
  3. Only one book per category per author/translator will be considered.
  4. Books may be submitted in Hindi or NE languages (with translations if necessary).
  5. Proof of Age (as mentioned in any of the documents issued by the Government like Aadhar, PAN, Election ID, Driving License, Passport etc.) is to be provided necessarily.

Prize & Recognition

• Each category winner will receive a Cash Prize Money of Rs. 11,000/- along with certificate and Memento.
• Winners will also be provided travel (2^nd AC in case of Trains and Economy class (If travel distance is more than 1000KM) in case of Air Travel) and accommodation within India to attend the award ceremony. (International travel will not be covered.)

Submission Deadline

• All entries must be received on or before 15th November 2025.
• Late submissions will not be considered.

Submission Address & Contact

Nalanda Literature Festival Secretariat

PLOT NO-2200, KHATA NO-03, NEAR DHANAUT POST OFFICE, BESIDE GOVT. SCHOOL, MAHUABAGH, PATNA, BIHAR, INDIA-801506.

Email:  info@nalandaliteraturefestival.com

Phone: 0091-9769797555/ 0091-612-25922097

Selection & Jury Process

• All entries will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of jury appointed by the Organising Team of NLF.
• The jury’s decision will be final and binding, with no provision for appeal.
• Shortlisted authors will be notified prior to the Festival and invited to participate in the award ceremony.

General Rules

• The Festival reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the stated criteria.
• Entries will not be returned once submitted.
• By submitting a book, the author/publisher grants the Festival permission to use the book’s cover image, synopsis, and author’s/translator’s name and photograph for promotional purposes.
• Participation in the awards implies acceptance of all rules and regulations.