The ministry of education launched YUVA — Prime Minister’s Scheme For Mentoring Young Authors on May 29. 

It is an author mentorship programme to train young and budding authors (below 30 years of age) in order to promote reading, writing and book culture in the country, and project India and Indian writings globally.

Highlights of the programme:

• The launch of YUVA (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors) is to encourage young writers to write about India’s freedom struggle.

• YUVA is a part of India@75 Project (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav) to bring to the fore the perspectives of the young generation of writers on themes like unsung heroes, freedom fighters, unknown and forgotten places and their role in national movement. 

• The scheme will help to develop a stream of writers who can write on a spectrum of subjects to promote Indian heritage, culture and knowledge system.

• The National Book Trust, under the ministry of education, as the implementing agency will ensure phase-wise execution of the scheme under well-defined stages of mentorship. ​

• The books prepared under this scheme will be published by National Book Trust. It will also be translated into other Indian languages ensuring the exchange of culture and literature.

• As many as 75 authors will be selected through an all India contest from  June 1-July 31, 2021.

• The winners will be announced on August 15, 2021.

• The selected young authors will interact with some of the best authors of the world, participate in literary festivals, etc.

• The published books will be launched on January 12, 2022 on the occasion of National Youth Day (Yuva Diwas).

• A consolidated scholarship of Rs 50,000 per month for a period of six months per author will be paid under the mentorship scheme.

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