Sahitya Akademi announces 2025 winners: Navtej Sarna, Mamta Kalia, and Sa Tamilselvan among 24 awardees

Eight Sahitya Akademi winners were recognised in poetry, six in short fiction, four in the novel, two in the essay form, one each in literary criticism and autobiography, and two in memoir. The Sahitya Akademi announced its 2025 annual awards on Monday, ending an unusual three-month suspension that ...

Sahitya Akademi announces 2025 winners: Navtej Sarna, Mamta Kalia, and Sa Tamilselvan among 24 awardees
Sahitya Akademi announces 2025 winners: Navtej Sarna, Mamta Kalia, and Sa Tamilselvan among 24 awardees Photo: The Indian Express

Eight Sahitya Akademi winners were recognised in poetry, six in short fiction, four in the novel, two in the essay form, one each in literary criticism and autobiography, and two in memoir.

The Sahitya Akademi announced its 2025 annual awards on Monday, ending an unusual three-month suspension that had drawn attention to the relationship between India’s premier literary institution and the Union Ministry of Culture.

Twenty-four winners were named across the languages recognised by the Akademi, including eight in poetry, six in short fiction, four in the novel, two in the essay form, one each in literary criticism and autobiography, and two in memoir.

Among the more prominent recipients is former diplomat Navtej Sarna, honoured in English for his novel Crimson Spring .

Hindi writer Mamta Kalia received the award for her memoir Jeete Jee Allahabad , and Tamil scholar Sa Tamilselvan was recognised in the literary criticism category for Thamiz Sirukathaiyyin Thadangal .

The full list spans the country’s linguistic breadth:
Winners will be presented with an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and ₹1 lakh at a ceremony scheduled for March 31.

The announcement closes a chapter that began on December 18, 2025, when the Akademi abruptly cancelled its awards press conference following a last-minute directive from the Culture Ministry.

Monday’s announcement, approved by the Akademi’s Competent Authority on the recommendation of jury members, suggests that the impasse has been resolved.

Source: This article was originally published by The Indian Express

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