The Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, has announced its 2025 Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners, celebrating 24 authors for their outstanding contributions to children’s literature across 24 languages. Each awardee will receive a copper plaque and ₹50,000, to be formally presented at a ceremony later this year
CHILDREN’S POETS & STORYTELLERS ACROSS INDIA
From Maharashtra, Suresh Sawant (65) earned acclaim for his 2023 Marathi poetry collection Aabhalmaya. A veteran of 40 years, he has authored 33 books for children and seamlessly blends education with entertainment, inspired by Sane Guruji’s legacy
In Gujarati literature, Kirtida Brahmbhatt received the prestigious award for her poetry compilation Tinchak (2022), praised for celebrating innocence, imagination, and cultural identity through rhythmic verses that resonate deeply with both children and teachers
English-language children’s literature was represented by Nitin Kushalappa MP, honoured for Dakshin South Indian Myths and Fables Retold, while Sushil Shukla was awarded in Hindi for Ek Batey Bara—both recognised for bringing traditional folklore and relatable storytelling to young audiences
REGIONAL EXCELLENCE: NORTH-EAST & KONKANI VOICES
In Assamese, Surendra Mohan Das was recognised for his children’s poetry Mainaahatar Padya, and Binay Kumar Brahma received the Bodo language award for his story collection Khanthi Bwswn Arw Akhu Danai
Nayana Adarkar from the Konkani-language community secured the award for her story collection Belabaicho Shankar Aani Haer Kanyo, representing the rich tapestry of Goa’s literary landscape .
A TAPESTRY OF YOUNG STORYTELLERS
Writers across the spectrum—from Dogri and Kannada to Santali and Urdu—were celebrated. Awardees include Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay (Bengali), PL Parihar “Shauq” (Dogri), K Shivalingappa Handihal (Kannada), Izhar Mubashir (Kashmiri), Munni Kamat (Maithili), Sreejith Moothedath (Malayalam), Shanto M (Manipuri), Sangmu Lepcha (Nepali), Rajakishore Parhi (Odia), Pali Khadim (Punjabi), Bhogilal Patidar (Rajasthani), Preeti Pujara (Sanskrit), Haralal Murmu (Santali), Heena Agnani ‘Heer’ (Sindhi), Vishnupuram Sarvanan (Tamil), Gangisetti Sivakumar (Telugu), and Ghazanfar Iqbal (Urdu)
AWARD CRITERIA & SELECTION PROCESS
Honouring works published between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023, the Bal Sahitya Puraskar is awarded after thorough scrutiny by language-specific juries, reflecting the Akademi’s dedication to quality and diversity in children’s literature
LIGHTING THE WAY FOR YOUNG READERS
The 2025 awardees showcase an evolving landscape of engaging, culturally rooted stories and poems. By honouring both veteran authors like Sawant and fresh voices like Brahmbhatt and Adarkar, the Akademi fosters a national ecosystem that values literacy, creativity, and empathy in the next generation.
The recipients of the Bal Sahitya Puraskar help shape India’s future readers—nurturing imagination, celebrating heritage, and enriching the lives of children across the country.
COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS
| Winners List | CLICK HERE |
