Staff reporter
Guwahati: In a move to promote literary and academic contributions in the state, the Publications Board Assam (PBA), under the Higher Education Department, has launched a major initiative titled the ‘Book Year 2025 Fellowship’. The project is part of the broader ‘Book Year 2025’ campaign announced by the Government of Assam.
The fellowship aims to encourage writers from diverse linguistic backgrounds, including Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, and other ethnic languages of Assam, to create original manuscripts across 22 prescribed subjects. These include Oriental Studies, Folk Culture, Ethnic Society, Science, Literary Theory, Linguistics, Archaeology, Environment, Heritage, and more.
The scheme was conceptualized with guidance from Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and under the direction of Education Minister and Board Chairman Dr. Ranoj Pegu. Preliminary guidelines have already been framed by the Board.
Addressing the media, secretary PBA Pramod Kalita said, “Board of directors invited interested writers to apply by July 31, mentioning the subject of their proposed work. There is no upper age limit, and authors of all age groups are welcome to participate.”
The final manuscripts must be submitted by November 1, 2025. A 10-member expert committee will review the submissions, and selected authors will receive fellowships ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000, depending on the scope and content of their work.
The PBA will retain exclusive rights to publish the selected manuscripts, which will be released in phases. Unselected manuscripts can be retrieved by the authors from the Board office. Importantly, no official or employee of the Board is permitted to apply under this scheme. Applications and manuscripts can be submitted physically or via email to assampublicationboard@gmail. com.
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