The Sahitya Akademi, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, announced the winners of the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025 on March 16, 2026, recognizing outstanding literary works in 24 Indian languages across genres such as poetry, novels, short stories, essays, and autobiographies.
Three writers from Jammu and Kashmir – Khajur Singh Thakur, Ali Shaida, and Pritpal Singh Betab – have been selected for this prestigious award for their notable contributions to Dogri, Kashmiri, and Urdu literature, respectively.
Khajur Singh Thakur has been chosen for his Dogri poetry collection, Thakur Satsaiye, which reflects life experiences, social values, and human emotions through dohas, presenting a harmonious blend of tradition and modern literary expression. Ali Shaida has been recognized for his Kashmiri work, Najadavaneki Pot Alav. Pritpal Singh Betab will receive the award for his Urdu literary work, Safar Jari Hai.
The award presentation ceremony is scheduled to be held on March 31 in New Delhi.
The Sahitya Akademi Awards are among the country's most prestigious literary honors and are widely regarded as a significant recognition of creative excellence in Indian languages. The selection of writers from Jammu and Kashmir is being viewed as a matter of pride for the region's rich literary and cultural heritage.