When is the book fair in Delhi? From entry tickets to what's special in each hall, find the answers to all your questions..
World Book Fair: The world's largest book fair is soon to be held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. This is the 53rd edition of the World Book Fair. Organized by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education, this year's fair, running from January 10 to 18, 2026, will be particularly special as it is dedicated to the country's armed forces. Let's find out the answers to all your questions, from entry tickets and the focus country to special attractions for children and what will be in each hall…
How long will the book fair last?
The book fair will run for nine days. It will feature over 1,000 publishers from more than 35 countries, over 1,000 speakers, more than 600 events, and is expected to attract over 2 million visitors.
How much will the book fair tickets cost?
Prof. Milind Sudhakar said, “We have completed 75 years of independence, and to honor the Indian Armed Forces, our theme, Indian Military History – Valor and Wisdom @75 – pays tribute to their contribution to nation-building, defense, and the unity of India. For the first time in history, we are making entry to the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 free of charge so that more and more people can participate. This reflects NBT's commitment to making the habit of reading accessible to all.”
In the 2026 book fair, Qatar will be the Guest of Honor Country, and Spain will be the Focus Country.
Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain, Director of the Doha International Book Fair, said that the Qatar Pavilion will showcase key works of the Ministry of Culture and live programs, and will also highlight the role of the Indian expatriate community.
The book fair is scheduled to be held in Delhi from January 14 to 18.
Which members of the armed forces will be attending?
The army's participation will be a major highlight of this fair, and this year, many prominent figures will be present, including General VK Singh, Lieutenant General Satish Dua, Colonel SC Tyagi, Captain (Dr.) Sunaina Singh and Air Marshal Vikram Singh (Retd.). This year, special emphasis will be placed on connecting young people with inspiring stories of leadership, patriotism, and service. There will also be special exhibitions commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram and 150 years of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Which prominent authors and speakers will be participating?
The fair will feature many renowned authors and speakers, including Piyush Mishra, Smriti Irani, Hema Malini, Kailash Satyarthi, Ricky Kej, Jaya Kishori, and Durjoy Datta. Under the Festival of Festivals, Indian and international literary festivals will be organized. The evening performances by Ricky Kej, Manganiyar artists, poets from the Rekhta Foundation, and the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force bands will be a must-see.
Which pavilion houses the Kids Express?
This year, a Children's Pavilion has been created for children. This Kids Express (Hall 6) will feature storytelling, theatre, quizzes, arts and crafts, Vedic mathematics, book design workshops, and interactions with children's authors.
In addition, the National e-Library will provide over 6,000 free e-books through digital kiosks and QR codes.
What's special in each hall?
Hall 2: Indian Language Publishers and Authors Forum
Hall 3: Indian Language Publishers and New Delhi Rights Table
Hall 4: Guest of Honour, Focus Country and International Pavilion
Hall 5: Theme Pavilion, Authors' Corner, and General/Professional Publishers
Hall 6: Children's Pavilion and Educational/Spiritual Books
Amphitheater-I: Cultural Programs
Will authors of international books also be attending? For the first time, directors of 10 international book fairs, including those from Leipzig, Bologna, Seoul, Frankfurt, and Gothenburg, will participate in the book fair. The NBT has also launched a Financial Assistance Programme (NBT FAP) for the translation of Indian books into foreign languages.
Meanwhile, publishers and cultural institutions from several countries, including Russia, Japan, Poland, France, Abu Dhabi, Iran, Kazakhstan, Hungary, and Chile, will participate in book launches, multilingual poetry readings, children's literature sessions, and discussions on topics such as AI, gaming, migration, and heritage.
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