The 53rd New Delhi World Book Fair will be held from January 10 to 18 at Bharat Mandapam with free entry for the first time, global participation from over 35 countries and a special theme honouring India’s Armed Forces.
Source: National Book Trust, India (NBT)
The New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026, the world’s largest B2C book fair, is set to return with its 53rd edition from January 10 to 18 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education, with the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) as co-organiser, the fair will offer free entry for the first time in its history.
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The nine-day cultural extravaganza is expected to host over 1,000 publishers from more than 35 countries, feature 600+ events, and welcome over two million visitors. The fair will be inaugurated by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, along with high-level dignitaries from Qatar and Spain.
The central theme of NDWBF 2026, “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75,” pays homage to the Indian Armed Forces and their role since Independence. A specially curated 1,000 sq. metre Theme Pavilion will offer a 360-degree immersive experience showcasing over 500 books, exhibits, documentaries and installations.
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Visitors will witness replicas of the Arjun Tank, INS Vikrant and LCA Tejas, along with tributes to 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees. More than 100 theme-based sessions featuring defence experts, authors and war veterans will focus on leadership, patriotism and service.
The fair will see strong international participation with Qatar as the Guest of Honour Country and Spain as the Focus Country. Cultural institutions, authors and publishers from countries including France, Japan, Russia, Poland, Iran, Kazakhstan, Hungary and Chile will take part through book launches, discussions and cultural showcases.
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A 30-member Japanese delegation will participate in an India-Japan Publishers’ Meet, while 10 international book fair directors from major global fairs will attend NDWBF 2026 for the first time.
The fair will host a star-studded line-up of authors and public figures such as Smriti Irani, Hema Malini, Kailash Satyarthi, Piyush Mishra, Durjoy Dutta and Ricky Kej, among others. Cultural evenings will feature performances by the Indian Armed Forces bands and international artists.
Special focus has been given to young readers through the Children’s Pavilion – Kidz Express, while the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya will offer access to over 6,000 free e-books. Industry platforms like CEOSpeak and the New Delhi Rights Table will facilitate publishing dialogues and rights exchanges.
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With its free public access, global reach and diverse programming, NDWBF 2026 promises to be a landmark celebration of books, ideas and India’s reading culture.
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