Rules:

• An entry must be a full-length work of fiction of at least 40,000 words. While short story anthologies are not eligible, collections of short stories linked by a theme may be considered at the discretion of the jury.
• All entries should have been published in the period 1.1.2025 to 31.12.2025. The Jury would have the latitude to determine any issues on this subject.
• Entries can be submitted only through publishers, who should send four hard copies of the entry to the Prize Secretariat: Ms Sulakshna Choudhry (Coordinator- Book Award) Address: 119, Indus Empire Phase - 2, E-8 Extension, Gulmohar, Bhopal- 462039; Phone: +91-9893046385, who will send the books to the jury members.
• In case of multiple entries made for the same book by more than one publisher, the first received entry would be considered.
• The submitted book can be written by any woman author of Indian nationality or of Indian origin irrespective of where she is residing.
• The author must be living at the time of the book’s submission.
• The book must be an original work in English.
• The book must not be self-published.
• Books published solely in e-book form are not entitled to be entered.
• All entries in the form of hard copies need to be received by the Secretariat before 15th August 2026. A publisher can send maximum 3 entries.
• There will be one prize of 2,25,000 INR
• The Schedule: Last date for submissions: 15th August, 2026
• Shortlist (Max 5 per jury member, not in order of preference) to be announced before 15th December 2026.
• Winner to be announced by 31st December 2026.