The literary calendar of the capital is set for a grand opening as the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026 prepares to welcome bibliophiles, authors, and diplomats from across the globe. Scheduled from January 10 to 18 at the Bharat Mandapam, this 53rd edition of the iconic fair is breaking new ground by offering free entry to all visitors for the first time in its history, aiming to make literature accessible to a wider audience.
A Salute to Valour and Wisdom
This year's fair is uniquely themed 'Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75', a direct tribute to the Indian Armed Forces, inspired by the nation's 75 years of Independence. Announcing the details at a press conference, Professor Milind Sudhakar, Chairman of the National Book Trust (NBT), stated that the theme honours the contributions of the armed forces to nation-building, defence, and unity. The NBT, under the Ministry of Education, is organising the event in collaboration with India Trade Promotion Organisation.
The centrepiece will be a sprawling 1,000-square-metre Theme Pavilion designed as a 360-degree immersive experience. It will showcase over 500 books, curated exhibitions, documentaries, and installations on military history. More than 100 theme-based events featuring defence experts, authors, and war veterans will delve into major wars and operations, from Budgaon 1947 to Operation Sindoor.
A Global Confluence of Cultures and Ideas
Positioning itself as a hub of literary diplomacy, the fair will host participants from over 35 countries, including Russia, Japan, Poland, France, Abu Dhabi, Iran, and Chile. Qatar will be the 'Guest of Honour Country', while Spain takes the spotlight as the 'Focus Country'. The fair will be inaugurated by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alongside dignitaries from these nations.
With over 1,000 publishers and more than 600 events featuring 1,000+ speakers, the fair promises a rich tapestry of book launches, multilingual poetry evenings, and cultural showcases. France will have a prominent presence, marking 2026 as the India-France Year of Innovation with a dedicated pavilion.
Engaging the Young and the Young at Heart
Yuvraj Malik, Director of NBT, emphasised that the decision to remove entry fees is aimed at expanding the fair's reach and inviting Gen Z to connect with books. The Children's Pavilion, 'Kidz Express', will be a vibrant zone with storytelling, theatre, quizzes, art workshops, and interactions with child authors.
Furthering the mission of inclusive access, the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya (ReP) will offer over 6,000 free books via digital kiosks and QR-code downloads. Evenings at the fair will come alive with musical performances by artists like Ricky Kej, the Manganiyars, and bands from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside poetry recitals.
The event will also feature a stellar line-up of authors and public figures, including Piyush Mishra, Smriti Irani, Hema Malini, Kailash Satyarthi, and Durjoy Dutta. Special exhibitions celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram and the life of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at 150 will add to the historical and cultural depth of this nine-day literary extravaganza.
