Sahitya Akademi and other autonomous cultural institutions
Context
The Sahitya Akademi cancelled a press conference scheduled to announce its annual literary awards.
The decision followed a directive from the Ministry of Culture.
Why the announcement was cancelled
The Ministry cited a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in July for 2025–26.
As per the MoU:
Any restructuring of awards must be undertaken in consultation with the Ministry.
No declaration of awards can be made without prior approval until restructuring is formally approved.
The Ministry stated that:
The press conference was called without its knowledge.
The due approval process for selection of awardees had not been completed.
Institutions covered under the MoU
The directive was sent to four autonomous cultural institutions under the Ministry of Culture:
Sahitya Akademi
National School of Drama
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Lalit Kala Akademi
Sahitya Akademi and Other National Cultural Academies (India)
Sahitya Akademi
Basic profile
Year established: 1954
Ministry: Ministry of Culture
Nature: Autonomous institution
Role: National academy of letters of India
Field: Literature
initially functioned under executive order, but was subsequently registered as a society under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860
The Government of India clarified that the choice of Prime Minister Nehru as the first chairperson was "not because he is Prime Minister, but because he has carved out for himself a distinctive place as a writer and author."
Core functions
Promotion of Indian literature
Recognition of literary excellence
Literary awards and fellowships
Translation of works across Indian languages
Preservation and encouragement of linguistic diversity
It publishes two bimonthly literary journals: Indian Literature in English and Samkaleen Bharatiya Sahitya in Hindi.
Sahitya Akademi Awards
Nature of the award
Given for an outstanding original literary work (book)
Awarded for a specific book, not for lifetime achievement
Sahitya Akademi confers annually the Yuva Puraskar to young writers (under 35 years) of outstanding works in one of the 24 major Indian languages. It was founded in 2011
Genres covered
Novel
Short stories
Poetry
Drama
Literary criticism
Essays
Language coverage
Awards are given in 24 Indian languages every year:
22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution
2 additional languages recognised by the Akademi:
English
Rajasthani
Eligibility and recipients
Given to:
Indian authors
For one outstanding book
Written in any one of the 24 recognised languages
Normally:
One author per language per year
The author must be alive at the time of announcement
Posthumous awards are not given
What the award includes
A citation
A memento
A cash prize (amount decided by the Akademi)
Award is not given for translated works
Self-published and government-published works can be considered
Lifetime contribution is recognised separately through:
Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (highest literary honour)
Other autonomous cultural academies under the Ministry of Culture
National School of Drama (NSD)
Basic profile
Year established: 1959
Ministry: Ministry of Culture
Nature: Autonomous institution
Field: Theatre and dramatic arts
Core functions
Professional training of actors and directors
Theatre education
Repertory theatre work
Development of modern Indian theatre
Awards and recognitions
NSD does not give regular annual national awards like other academies
Focus is on:
Training
Diplomas
Occasional recognitions for theatre contribution
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Basic profile
Year established: 1953
Ministry: Ministry of Culture
Nature: Autonomous national academy
Field: Performing arts
Art forms covered
Music
Dance
Drama
Folk and traditional performing arts
Core role
Preservation and promotion of India’s intangible cultural heritage
Support to classical, folk, and tribal art traditions
Awards
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (annual)
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (highest honour)
Recipients
Artists
Performers
Gurus and teachers
Scholars of performing arts
Lalit Kala Akademi
Basic profile
Year established: 1954
Ministry: Ministry of Culture
Nature: Autonomous national academy
Field: Visual and fine arts
Awards
Lalit Kala Akademi National Award
Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowship (highest honour)
Value Addition The highest literary award in India is the Jnanpith Award, bestowed by the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust, recognizing an author's lifetime contribution to Indian literature in any of the 22 constitutionally recognized Indian languages and English, offering a cash prize, citation, and a replica of Goddess Saraswati. Key Facts about the Jnanpith Award:
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Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. With reference to the Sahitya Akademi Award, consider the following statements:
It is awarded annually for original literary works.
It is given in all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule only.
Normally, one award is given per language each year.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct answer: A
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The award is given for original literary books.
Statement 2 is incorrect: It covers 24 languages, including English and Rajasthani, beyond the Eighth Schedule.
Statement 3 is correct: Usually one award is given per language per year.
Q. Which of the following statements best describes eligibility for the Jnanpith Award?
A. Only Indian citizens writing in English are eligible
B. Only living authors are eligible
C. Both Indian and foreign authors writing on India are eligible
D. Only authors awarded by Sahitya Akademi can be considered
Correct answer: B
Explanation:
The Jnanpith Award is given to living authors for their lifetime contribution. It is not restricted to English, nor dependent on prior Sahitya Akademi recognition.