AutHer Awards 2026 Shines Spotlight on Women Writers at Taj Palace Ceremony
This Sunday, March 22, 2026, the Taj Palace in New Delhi hosted a vibrant celebration of literary excellence as the AutHer Awards 2026 announced its winners. The event, a joint initiative by JK Paper and The Times of India, brought together authors, publishers, academicians, book enthusiasts, politicians, and artists to honor women who have enriched the literary landscape with their creativity and value.
Grand Ceremony with Distinguished Guests
The seventh edition of the AutHer Awards featured veteran actor-author Kabir Bedi as the Chief Guest, adding star power to an evening dedicated to recognizing female literary talent. From oral traditions to modern novels, women writers have long shaped narratives, and this awards ceremony highlighted their resilience and foundational role in literature.
Winners Across Key Categories
The AutHer Awards 2026 winners were announced in four major categories, along with special recognitions:
- Best Author Fiction: Kavery Nambisan for Rising Sons (Penguin Random House India).
- Best Author Non-Fiction: Vidya Rajan for Rubber and Narayani Basu for A Man For All Seasons (both published by Westland Books).
- Best Author Debut Award: Swati Pandey for Invisible In Plain Sight: Voices From The Bylanes of Kamathipura (Juggernaut Books) and Subi Taba for Tales From The Dawn-Lit Mountains (Penguin Random House India).
- Best Children's Author: Likla Lal for Ganesh Haloi: Colours of Home (Art1st).
- Popular Choice Award: Astha Gill for Blame It On The Hormones: The Divine Chemistry, The Daily Chaos, based on online votes.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Urmila Pawar for her timeless contributions to Indian writing.
- Best Manuscript Award: Saanvi Shabeesh for City of Doom, inspiring budding writers.
Rigorous Selection Process
The awards involved a meticulous selection process, with approximately 3000 entries submitted by publishers and authors for books published between December 2024 and November 2025. A panel of eminent jurors conducted multiple screenings and detailed discussions to determine the Longlist, Shortlist, and Winners, making this the first-of-its-kind women writers' awards in India.
Eminent Jury Panel
The jury for AutHer Awards 2026 included distinguished names across categories:
- Fiction: Manju Kapur, Sudeep Nagarkar, Kiran Manral.
- Non-fiction: Ravikant Kisana, Amrita Shah, Dr. Radha Kumar.
- Debut: Soha Ali Khan, Preeti Shenoy, Vasudhendra.
- Best Children's Literature: Nina Sabnani, Neil D'Silva, Zai Whitaker.
Celebrating Literary Impact
Jaya Bhattacharji Rose, Literary Director of AutHer Awards 2026, emphasized the significance of women writers, noting their role in storytelling from oral traditions to challenging power structures. She highlighted their dedication, often writing amidst daily responsibilities, and praised their originality and ability to connect with diverse audiences. As the premier literary platform for women writers in India, the AutHer Awards aim to honor those who make a difference and represent the best of Bharat's literature.
