8 months ago
Delhi World Book Fair 2026 Honors Military
The Delhi World Book Fair is a big event for book lovers in India.
It happens every year and this time it's from January 10 to January 18, 2026.
It's in New Delhi and is organized by the National Book Trust.
This year, the fair is all about the Indian Armed Forces and their history.
There are lots of books, photos, and live shows about the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Qatar is the special guest country, and Spain is the focus country, so you can see lots of books and stories from these places.
There's also a special area for kids called Kidz Express where they can have fun with books and meet authors.
In the evenings, there's live music and dancing.
The best part is that entry is free, and you can get there by taking the Delhi Metro to the Supreme Court Station.
The 53rd Delhi World Book Fair will be held from January 10 to January 18, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, organized by the National Book Trust with free entry for the first time.
The theme is 'Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @ 75,' featuring a 1,000 sq. metre Theme Pavilion with over 500 books, exhibits, and installations honoring the Indian Armed Forces.
Qatar is the 'Guest of Honour' and Spain is the 'Focus Country,' with strong international participation from over 35 countries, including France, Japan, Russia, and more.
The fair includes a dedicated Children's Pavilion called Kidz Express, offering storytelling sessions, workshops, and interactive activities for kids, along with access to over 6,000 free e-books.
Entry to the fair is free, and it is open daily from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, with live music, performances, and a star-studded line-up of authors and public figures.
- Who
- Organized by the National Book Trust, India, with the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) as co-organizer. Features over 1,000 publishers from more than 35 countries, including Qatar as the Guest of Honour and Spain as the Focus Country.
- What
- The 53rd edition of the Delhi World Book Fair, celebrating Indian military history and global literature.
- Where
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- When
- January 10 to January 18, 2026.
- Why
- To celebrate Indian military history, promote global literary and cultural exchange, and offer free access to a wide range of books and cultural events.
Pro-Military Theme
Cultural Exchange Focus
Theme Selection
Pro-Military Theme
The theme 'Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @ 75' is crucial for educating the public about the sacrifices and contributions of the Indian Armed Forces.
Cultural Exchange Focus
While the military theme is important, the fair should also emphasize global cultural exchange and literary diversity.
Key facts
- Dates
- January 10 to January 18, 2026
- Location
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Organizer
- National Book Trust, India
- Co-Organizer
- India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO)
- Size
- 40,000 square meters
- Number of Publishers
- Over 1,000 from more than 35 countries
- Theme
- Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @ 75
- Guest of Honour
- Qatar
- Focus Country
- Spain
- Entry Fee
- Free
- Timings
- 11:00 am to 8:00 pm daily
- Expected Visitors
- Over two million
- Number of Events
- 600+
- Theme Pavilion Size
- 1,000 square meters
- Number of Books in Theme Pavilion
- Over 500
- Number of Theme-Based Sessions
- More than 100
- Children's Pavilion
- Kidz Express
- Free e-Books
- Over 6,000 in Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya
Timeline
Argentina's Kerala visit cancellation sparked Kolkata Book Fair's 2026 Argentina theme.
Messi's Kerala match in '25 influenced the fair's Argentina focus.
Kolkata's announcement triggered Delhi World Book Fair's '26 planning.
Delhi reveals '26 fair's Indian Armed Forces theme, January 10-18 dates.
Free entry, Supreme Court Metro access for Delhi's '26 World Book Fair.
Quotes
Professor Milind Sudhakar
Chairman of the National Book Trust (NBT)
“We have completed 75 years of Independence and to salute the Indian Armed Forces, our theme – Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75 – pays tribute to their contributions to nation building, defence and India’s unity.”
indianexpress.com
“This shows NBT’s commitment to ensure that the habit of reading is accessible to all.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Historian Meenakshi Jain to receive Mangaluru Lit Fest Award
Delhi World Book Fair 2026: Dates, theme, ticket prices – Everything you need to know
New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 returns with free entry, salutes India’s Armed Forces
Nine-day long New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 to commence from Saturday
