**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 436 in the Lok Sabha, answered on February 2, 2026, concerning the 26th World Book Fair. It details the government's initiatives under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to promote reading and literacy, specifically in relation to the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026, which took place from January 10-18, 2026. The response highlights the fair’s theme, participation, and initiatives.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:**
* The Government of India has framed the NEP 2020 to promote holistic, multidisciplinary, flexible, student-centric education and lifelong learning.
* NEP emphasizes strengthening high-quality books, particularly in Indian languages, and fostering multilingualism.
* **National Book Trust (NBT):**
* NBT, under the Department of Higher Education, promotes reading culture through book fairs, literary events, and exhibitions.
* **New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026:**
* Organized by NBT from January 10th to 18th, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
* The theme was "Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75".
* Featured participation from 37 countries, with Qatar as the Guest of Honour Country, and 1,004 publishers.
* Supported by grant-in-aid from the Department of Higher Education and Internal Revenue Generation (IRG).
* **NDWBF 2026 Initiatives:**
* Dedicated Children's Pavilion focused on Viksit Bharat.
* Two-day National Camp for 43 PM-YUVA authors from 22 Indian languages and English under the PM-YUVA Mentorship Scheme 3.0.
* Designated hall for Indian language publishers.
* **NDWBF 2026 Outcomes:**
* Facilitation of international B2B platforms, including the New Delhi Rights Table, resulting in over 600 business meetings.
* Attendance by Directors of prominent International Book Fairs from seven countries: Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Mexico, South Korea, Sweden, and Turkey.
* The "Festival of Festivals" platform hosted eight literary festivals from across the country.
* Footfall of over 20 lakh people.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Department of Higher Education (DoHE)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing grant-in-aid to NBT for organizing book fairs and related activities.
* **Action Required:** Continue providing financial support and guidance for future book fair events.
**Stakeholder: National Book Trust (NBT)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for executing initiatives to promote reading and literacy, including organizing the NDWBF.
* **Action Required:** Continue planning and executing book fairs and literary events in line with NEP 2020.
**Stakeholder: Publishers (Indian and International)**
* **Impact:** Provided a platform to showcase and sell books, network, and participate in business meetings.
* **Action Required:** Participate in future book fairs and engage with initiatives to promote Indian languages and literature.
**Stakeholder: Authors (Indian and International, including PM-YUVA authors)**
* **Impact:** Opportunities for showcasing work, engaging with readers, and participating in literary events.
* **Action Required:** Continue creating literary works that contribute to the promotion of Indian languages and culture.
**Stakeholder: General Public (Readers, Students, Literary Enthusiasts)**
* **Impact:** Enhanced access to books, literary events, and opportunities to engage with authors and publishers.
* **Action Required:** Engage with available resources and participate in future book fairs and literary events.
Key Entities Referenced
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Aims to provide holistic, multidisciplinary, flexible and student-centric education which promotes lifelong learning and strengthening the availability of high-quality books.
Ministry of Education: The ministry responsible for education, including higher education, and the activities of the National Book Trust.
National Book Trust (NBT): Functions under the aegis of the Department of Higher Education and organizes book fairs and literary events to promote reading culture.
New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026: A major book fair organized by the NBT in New Delhi to promote books and reading.
PM-YUVA Mentorship Scheme 3.0: A scheme under which authors were selected for a camp during the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 436
ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
26th World Book Fair
436. Shri Sudheer Gupta:
Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao:
Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government recently inaugurated the 26th World Book Fair, if so, the details
thereof;
(b) the details of theme, participating countries, publishers recorded in the said Fair;
(c) the details of expenditure incurred on the organisation of the said Book Fair and the sources of
funding;
(d) whether any special initiatives were taken by the Government to promote Indian languages,
regional authors, young writers and publishing in digital formats during the event; and
(e) if so, the outcomes achieved in terms of promotion of reading culture, literacy, publishing
industry growth and international collaboration?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (e): The Government of India has framed the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with an
aim to provide holistic, multidisciplinary, flexible and student-centric education which promotes
lifelong learning. NEP also emphasis on the importance of strengthening the availability of high-
quality books, particularly in Indian languages, through systematic publication, translation, and
dissemination. It envisages fostering multilingualism, encouraging wider access to reading materials
and support inclusive, equitable, and lifelong learning across the country.
In alignment with the vision of the NEP 2020, the National Book Trust (NBT), functioning
under the aegis of the Department of Higher Education, undertakes several initiatives aimed at
promoting and strengthening a culture of reading across the country. These initiatives include the
organization of book fairs, literary events, exhibitions, as well as other outreach activities aimed to
enhance access to books and encourage reading habits.
NBT organized the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 from 10th January to 18th January
2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi with the theme “Indian Military History: Valour and
Wisdom @75”. The Book Fair witnessed participation from 37 countries including Qatar as Guest
of Honour Country, along with 1,004 publishers.The Department of Higher Education (DoHE), Ministry of Education, provides grant-in-aid
to the National Book Trust (NBT) for undertaking/carrying out its activities, including the
organization of Book Fairs. Accordingly, the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026 was
organized by NBT with the support of grant-in-aid from the DoHE and its Internal Revenue
Generation (IRG).
The initiatives during the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026 include the creation
of a dedicated Children’s Pavilion with a focus on Viksit Bharat, a two-day National Camp for 43
PM-YUVA authors selected from across the country, representing 22 Indian languages and English,
under the PM-YUVA Mentorship Scheme 3.0, designated hall for Indian language publishers etc.
NDWBF 2026 witnessed several outcomes, including the facilitation of international B2B
platforms such as the New Delhi Rights Table, which resulted more than 600 business meetings.
The fair was also attended by the Directors of prominent International Book Fairs from seven
countries, namely the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Mexico, South Korea, Sweden, and Turkey.
In addition, eight literary festivals from across the country organized their events and sessions under
the platform of the “Festival of Festivals”. NDWBF 2026 witnessed footfall of over 20 lakh people.
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