Sahitya Akademi Announces 2025 Awards After Delay

The Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, announced its 2025 annual awards on Monday, recognizing 24 authors across the 24 languages it supports. The decision ends a three-month delay triggered by a last-minute directive from the Union Ministry of Culture, which had led to the cancellation of a planned press conference in December 2025.

The awards honor outstanding works in various genres, including eight books of poetry, six collections of short stories, four novels, two essays, one literary criticism, one autobiography, and two memoirs. Recipients will receive an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and 1 lakh rupees at a ceremony on March 31 in New Delhi. The announcement, approved by the Akademi's Competent Authority based on jury recommendations, signals the resolution of the earlier impasse between the institution and the ministry.

Among the winners, former diplomat and English author Navtej Sarna was selected for his novel Crimson Spring, which explores historical themes. Hindi writer Mamta Kalia earned recognition for her memoir Jeete Jee Allahabad, a personal reflection on life in the city. In Tamil, scholar Sa. Tamilselvan received the award in literary...