Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025: Full Winners List, Yuva & Bal Puraskar, and Why They Matter
🌟 Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025: Why Every Reader Should Know
đź“– A Literary Wake-Up Call
After reading the 2025 Booker Prize-winning novel The Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq — a moving exploration of identity, grief, and resilience — I was struck by how global audiences are embracing Indian narratives. In conversation with my father, we discussed how Indian literature needs more promotion than ever. That’s when he mentioned the Sahitya Akademi Awards.
To my surprise (and embarrassment), I had heard the name but didn’t really know what it stood for. When he told me that the Yuva Puraskar and Bal Sahitya Puraskar were recently announced, I dove into research—and discovered a literary treasure trove that all Indian readers should know.
This blog is a result of that journey.
đź“š What is the Sahitya Akademi Award?
The Sahitya Akademi Award is India’s second-highest literary honor, established in 1954 by the Sahitya Akademi, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture. These awards celebrate excellence in literature across 24 Indian languages, including English and Rajasthani.
Each awardee receives a plaque, shawl, and a cash prize.
🏆 Categories of the Award
1. Main Sahitya Akademi Award
Given for outstanding literary works by established writers.
Prize: â‚ą1,00,000 + engraved plaque.
2. Yuva Puraskar
For writers aged 35 and under.
Highlights modern, brave, and experimental voices.
Prize: â‚ą50,000 + plaque.
3. Bal Sahitya Puraskar
For literature aimed at children and young readers.
Prize: â‚ą50,000 + plaque.
👧 Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025 – Complete Winners List
| Language | Title & Genre | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Assamese | Mahabharathar Padya (Poetry) | Surendra Mohan Das |
| Bengali | Echhara Gaye Katha Daye (Stories) | Chitto Acharyya |
| Bodo | Khanthi Boronn Ang Abhu Duhui (Stories) | Binay Kumar Brahma |
| Dogri | Nachi Tor (Poetry) | P.L. Parihar “Shaad” |
| English | Dibakar Sinha: Indian Myths Retold | Nitin Kushalappa MP |
| Gujarati | Trivak (Poetry) | Kirtida Brahmbhatt |
| Hindi | Ek Kaley Bara (Short Stories) | Sushil Shukla |
| Kannada | Notebook (Short Stories) | K. Shivaling Gappa Harisdhal |
| Kashmiri | Shure Ta Toturu Gyash (Short Stories) | Ishar Mubaashir |
| Konkani | Betekaddo Shankar Aani Haar Karyo (Stories) | Nayima Adankar |
| Maithili | Oudika (Short Stories) | Murari Kanaik |
| Malayalam | Rangamandalache Yaadravadi (Novel) | Sreejith Moolkodan |
| Manipuri | Anganganginage Shamahungsida (Play) | Shanta M. |
| Marathi | Aathamanga (Poetry) | Sudish Sawant |
| Nepali | Shanti Van (Novel) | Sangmu Lepcha |
| Odia | Kete Phula Phutachi (Poetry) | Rajkishore Parhi |
| Punjabi | Jadoo Patka (Novel) | Pal Khadim et al. |
| Rajasthani | Panahravansh Ni Pira (Drama) | Jitendra Sharma |
| Sanskrit | Balviyaam (Poetry) | Preeti Pujara |
| Santali | Sona Mou-ag Sandesh (Poetry) | Hansda Murmu |
| Sindhi | Asman Hari (Poetry) | Heena Agranis “Veer” |
| Tamil | Ottrai Sirago Orva (Novel) | Vishuguram Sarvanain |
| Telugu | Kakurla Devatha (Story) | Ganjarotti Sivakumar |
| Urdu | Quami Sitare (Articles) | Ghazanfar Iqbal |
🔗 Source: Adda247 – Full List
👩‍🎓 Yuva Puraskar 2025 – Complete Winners List
| Language | Title & Genre | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Assamese | Kuchiyanama (Stories) | Suprakash Bhuyan |
| Bengali | Ekrokha Chiruni Tollashi (Poetry) | Sudeshna Moitra |
| Bodo | Ang Asur (Poetry) | Amar Khungur Boro |
| English | Siddhartha: The Boy Who Became the Buddha | Advait Kottary |
| Gujarati | Narsinh Tekari (Essays) | Mayur Khavdu |
| Hindi | Phir Ugna (Poetry) | Parvati Tirkey |
| Kannada | Pacceeya Jaguli (Criticism) | R. Dileepkumar |
| Kashmiri | Harfas Harfas Zaag (Criticism) | Saiqa Sehar |
| Konkani | Gaavgaathaa (Short Stories) | Glynis Dias |
| Maithili | Banaras Aa Hum (Poetry) | Neha Jha Mani |
| Malayalam | Ram C/O Anandhi (Novel) | Akhil P. Dharmajan |
| Manipuri | Khoyum Nongdam Cow (Epic) | A. K. Jiten |
| Marathi | Khol Khol Dushkal Dole (Novel) | Pradeep Kokare |
| Nepali | Junko Aansu (Poetry) | Subash Thakuri |
| Odia | Kadambabana (Short Stories) | Subrat Kumar Senapati |
| Punjabi | Girls Hostel (Poetry) | Mandeep Aulakh |
| Rajasthani | Antas re aanganai (Poetry) | Poonam Chand Godara |
| Sanskrit | Paribhashikshabd-swarasyam (Criticism) | Dheeraj Kumar Pandey |
| Santali | Ara Sao In (Poetry) | Fagu Baskey |
| Sindhi | Pandhiyado (Poetry) | Manthan Bachani |
| Tamil | Kutonru Kutirru (Stories) | Latshmihar |
| Telugu | Mairaavana (Novel) | Prasad Suri |
| Urdu | Mazharul Haque… (Historical Biography) | Neha Rubab |
đź”— Source: Sahitya Akademi Official PDF
đź“– Where We Fall Short as Readers
As readers, we often gravitate toward globally hyped books—usually written in English—while overlooking the incredible literary wealth within our own country. Whether it’s a lack of exposure to regional writers or a perception that Indian literature is “too heavy” or “unrelatable,” we tend to miss out on nuanced voices, local narratives, and culturally rooted stories. Most of us aren’t even aware of major Indian literary awards like the Sahitya Akademi, let alone the writers it celebrates. This ignorance is not entirely our fault—it’s a reflection of how under-promoted regional literature is in mainstream media and publishing. But change begins with choice, and it’s high time we made space on our shelves for stories in Indian languages, translations, and children’s literature that reflects our roots.
✍️ Where We Fall Short as Authors
For authors, the biggest shortfall lies in chasing market trends over meaningful storytelling. Many young writers today aim for instant virality on social media instead of honing their literary craft or building a body of work that resonates deeply over time. There’s also a visible hesitation to write in regional languages or cater to younger audiences, due to a misconception that English commercial fiction is the only route to recognition. In children’s literature especially, there’s a severe gap in quality, imagination, and cultural grounding. The truth is: India needs storytellers who embrace their linguistic identity, write fearlessly, and bring authentic narratives to the forefront—whether that’s in Hindi, Tamil, Manipuri, or Santali. Awards like the Yuva and Bal Sahitya Puraskar exist because there is an audience—what we need are more creators willing to speak to them.
🤝 What We Can Do Together to Promote Indian Literature
Promoting Indian literature isn’t a solo act—it’s a community effort. We can start by reading and recommending award-winning Indian books, especially those from regional languages and lesser-known authors. Let’s create space for book clubs that discuss Sahitya Akademi winners, share translated reads on social media, and tag Indian publishers and authors to amplify their reach. Bloggers and creators can highlight these books through reels, blogs, podcasts, and YouTube reviews. Schools and libraries can introduce Bal Sahitya books to young readers. Writers can consider penning stories in their mother tongue or collaborating with translators to reach wider audiences. It all begins with a click, a comment, a conversation—and a commitment to read more of our own.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a reader, writer, or simply a lover of stories—the Sahitya Akademi Awards are a reminder that India’s literary gold doesn’t always lie in mainstream bookstores. Let’s uplift regional voices, support translated literature, and celebrate the diversity of Indian storytelling.
Learn more about the Sahitya Akademi and its legacy here.
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đź’¬ Which Indian language would you love to explore through literature?
TAGS – sahitya akademi award 2025, yuva puraskar 2025, bal sahitya puraskar 2025, indian literature awards, regional indian books, young indian authors, children’s literature india, award winning indian books, promote indian writers, literary awards india
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Apt summary highlighting 360° view on whole of Indian Literature, to the point, kind of roadmap to showcase rich heritage and culture of Indian Literature to the world.
Thank you so much for your kind words.
It’s sad that books in regional languages get such little space in the media. I do read the occasional translation but it’s hard to find recommendations. I have been trying to look for books in Hindi, but haven’t found any really good ones.
This gives a comprehensive introduction to Sahitya Akademy Awards. I wasn’t quite happy with the Malayalam award this year. It went to a rather quotidian thriller.