Lok Sabha Question No. 436 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: 26th World Book Fair
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 436 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## 26 th  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  26 th 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 highquality  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 10 th  January  to  18 th 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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