The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the National Book Trust (NBT) of India launched on 11 March 2025 the third edition of the (PM) Prime Minister’s Young Authors Mentorship Scheme known as YUVA 3.0. The initiative aims to nurture young writers under 30 years of age, providing them with mentorship and exposure to hone their creative writing skills.
YUVA 3.0 builds upon the success of its predecessors, YUVA 1.0 and YUVA 2.0, continuing the government’s commitment to fostering literary talent and promoting reading, writing, and book culture in India. The scheme aligns with the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, encouraging the documentation and dissemination of India’s rich cultural heritage and knowledge.
YUVA 3.0: Features and Objectives
Theme and Focus
The Themes of PM-YUVA 3.0 are: Contribution of Indian Diaspora in Nation Building; Indian Knowledge System & Makers of Modern India (1950-2025). The scheme will help to develop a stream of writers who can write on various facets of India encompassing the past, present and future. Besides, the scheme will also provide a window to the aspiring youth to articulate themselves and present a comprehensive outlook of contribution of Indians across fields in ancient and present times.
Selection Process
- The scheme invites applications from aspiring writers through MyGov. India’s online portal.
- A competitive process shortlists 50 young authors based on a well-defined evaluation criterion.
- The National Book Trust (NBT) will constitute the selection committee.
- Applicants are required to submit a book proposal of 10,000 words which is then reviewed by a panel.
- The shortlisted candidates undergo a multi-stage selection process before the final selection.
Mentorship and Support
- Selected authors receive a mentorship program spanning six months.
- The authors undergo workshops, interactions with mentors, and exposure to India’s literary ecosystem.
- They receive financial assistance of ₹50,000 per month for six months.
- Their works are published and promote by the NBT in multiple languages.
- Under the mentorship a National Camp held for the PM-YUVA 3.0 Authors during the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026.
- Selected authors get the opportunity to present their work at literary festivals and international forums.
Background of the YUVA Scheme
National Education Policy 2020 has emphasized on the empowerment of the young minds and creating a learning eco-system that can make the young readers/learners ready for leadership roles in the future world. India is considered a young country because 66% of its total population are young and tapped for capacity and nation building. In this context, a national scheme for mentoring generations of young authors has proven to be a significant stepping stone for laying the foundation of the future leaders of the creative world. This scheme has conceptualised on the premise that the 21st century India needs to groom a generation of young authors to create ambassadors of Indian literature and world view. In view of the fact that our country is ranked third in the arena of book publish and we have a treasure trove of indigenous literature, India must project it at the global stage. The first mentorship scheme launched on 31st May 2021, then subsequently in October 2022 and now in March 2025.
YUVA 2.0: Expansion and Achievements
Launched in October 2022, YUVA 2.0 built upon the foundation of YUVA 1.0 with a renewed focus on Democracy as the core theme. The scheme aimed to foster young writers engagement with India’s democratic values, traditions, and governance structures.
Theme and Vision
The Theme of PM-YUVA 2.0 was Democracy (Institutions, Events, People and Constitutional Values). The scheme helped in developing a stream of writers who can write on various facets of Democracy in India encompassing the past, present and future. Besides, the scheme also provided a window to the aspiring youth to articulate themselves and present a comprehensive outlook of Indian democratic values at domestic as well as international platforms.
Selection and Implementation
- The competition received an overwhelming response with a diverse pool of participants from across the country.
- 75 authors selected through a competitive process. They also required to submit a book proposal of 10,000 words.
- The mentorship program included interaction with constitutional experts, historians, and renowned authors.
- Special training sessions held to enhance research skills, language proficiency, and storytelling techniques.
Outcomes and Impact
- The Union Minister for Education launched 41 new books under the PM YUVA 2.0 scheme at the New Delhi World Book Fair 2025 in February.
- Several books published in multiple Indian languages, making them accessible to a broad readership.
- Young authors gained national and international recognition participating in events like the World Book Fair and literary forums.
- Many participants had their books included in academic and government libraries for research and reference.
- Some authors had the opportunity to meet and interact with policymakers and scholars further enriching their perspectives.
YUVA 1.0: Inception and Legacy
The inaugural edition, YUVA 1.0 was launched in May 2021 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations to commemorate 75 years of India’s independence. The scheme aimed to empower young authors and provide them a platform to express their perspectives on India’s history and contemporary narratives.
- Outcome: 75 young authors were selected, and their works were published in multiple languages.
- Impact: Many authors gained mainstream recognition, with several books becoming part of academic discussions. Some authors went on to publish additional works independently.
The YUVA scheme in its three editions has played a crucial role in nurturing young literary talent in India. As the program continues to evolve, it reinforces India’s commitment to promoting creative expression, multilingual literary heritage, and a culture of reading and writing among the youth. The impact of the scheme is evident in the success stories of young authors whose voices have been amplified at both national and international levels.
