Nominations open for Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize 2026

The New India Foundation (NIF) has opened the nomination process for the 9th Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Award 2026, inviting publishers, authors and translators to submit non-fiction works examining aspects of modern or contemporary India.

Launched in 2018, the award carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh. The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2026.

Eligibility criteria

Only book-length non-fiction books published between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025 are eligible to apply. Books must be originally written in English or must have been translated into English from a work originally published in another language. There are no restrictions on the nationality of the author, ideology or genre of the work.

The selection process will be overseen by a jury appointed by the New India Foundation, who will review all eligible applications and determine the longlist, shortlist and final winner.

The 2025 Book Award was awarded to Aparajith Ramnath. Designing a Nation: The Life and Career of M. Visvesvaraya.

Speaking about the award, NIF Deputy Director Nandini Nair said: “The Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Award celebrates India’s best books on modern India. Since its inception, the award has recognized works that demonstrate in-depth research and intellectual rigor. It honors publications that advance understanding of India’s past and present, encouraging informed discourse among a wide range of readers.”

For more detailed information about the candidacy process; visit here.