Prelims: (International Relations + Education + CA) Mains: (GS 1 – Indian Culture, Society; GS 2 – International Relations, Governance, Education Policy, Youth Empowerment) |
Why in News ?
The results of the Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors (PM-YUVA 3.0) have been declared, with 43 young authors selected through an All-India contest. The scheme aims to mentor talented youth writers and promote original writing on India’s civilisational, cultural, and contemporary themes.

Background & Context
India has a rich literary and intellectual tradition, but young writers often face challenges such as lack of mentorship, limited publishing opportunities, and inadequate exposure to professional literary ecosystems. Recognising the need to nurture young creative talent, the Government of India launched the PM-YUVA (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors) Scheme as part of a broader effort to promote reading, writing, and knowledge creation.
PM-YUVA aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises creativity, critical thinking, Indian Knowledge Systems, and multidisciplinary learning. The third edition, PM-YUVA 3.0, continues this vision by providing structured mentorship and national-level recognition to young authors.
What is the PM-YUVA 3.0 Scheme ?
Overview
The Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors (PM-YUVA 3.0) is a government initiative aimed at nurturing writers below 30 years of age by offering mentorship, training, and publishing opportunities.
Objectives
- Develop a new generation of Indian writers
- Encourage original writing on India’s past, present, and future
- Promote Indian perspectives in literature and knowledge creation
- Strengthen India’s cultural and intellectual soft power
Key Themes under PM-YUVA 3.0
Selected young authors are encouraged to write on the following themes:
- Contribution of Indian Diaspora in Nation Building
- Indian Knowledge System (IKS)
- Makers of Modern India (1950–2025)
These themes aim to blend historical understanding with contemporary narratives and future-oriented thinking.
Implementing Agency & Institutional Framework
- Implementing Agency: National Book Trust (NBT), India
- Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Education
- NBT ensures phase-wise execution of the scheme through structured and well-defined mentorship stages.
Selection Process
- Applications are invited through the MyGov India portal
- Candidates undergo a multi-stage selection process, including evaluation of writing samples
- Eligibility Condition:
- Applicants who were selected under PM-YUVA 1.0 or PM-YUVA 2.0 are not eligible for PM-YUVA 3.0
- Final selection is done on a competitive, merit-based basis at the national level
Mentorship & Support Structure
Duration
- Six-month mentorship programme
Components
- Regular mentoring sessions with established authors and subject experts
- Workshops on creative writing, research, editing, and publishing
- Exposure to India’s literary and publishing ecosystem
Financial & Professional Support
- Consolidated scholarship at the end of the mentorship
- Final output:
- A book or series of books authored by the participants
- Published by National Book Trust (NBT), India
- Royalty:
- Authors receive 10% royalty on successful publication
Publication & Outreach
- Books published under PM-YUVA may be translated into other Indian languages, promoting linguistic diversity
- Selected authors get opportunities to:
- Present their work at literary festivals
- Participate in national and international forums
- Enhances visibility of young Indian writers at global platforms
Significance of PM-YUVA 3.0
Cultural Significance
- Promotes Indian narratives rooted in indigenous perspectives
- Revives interest in Indian Knowledge Systems and modern history
Educational Impact
- Encourages research-oriented writing among youth
- Supports NEP 2020 goals of creativity and critical thinking
Soft Power & Nation Branding
- Positions India as a global knowledge and literary hub
- Amplifies voices of young Indians in global discourse
Challenges and Way Ahead
Limited Reach
- Awareness of the scheme remains limited among rural and vernacular writers
- Way Forward: Expand outreach through regional institutions and universities
Language Diversity
- Dominance of English-language submissions
- Way Forward: Encourage submissions in Indian languages and regional scripts
Sustainability
- Limited number of beneficiaries per edition
- Way Forward: Scale up mentorship capacity and partnerships with private publishers
FAQs
Q1. What is PM-YUVA 3.0 ?
It is a government scheme to mentor young authors below 30 years and promote original writing on Indian themes.
Q2. Who implements the PM-YUVA scheme ?
The National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education.
Q3. What themes are covered under PM-YUVA 3.0 ?
Indian Diaspora, Indian Knowledge System, and Makers of Modern India (1950–2025).
Q4. What benefits do selected authors receive ?
Six months of mentorship, scholarship, publication by NBT, 10% royalty, and exposure at literary platforms.
Q5. How does PM-YUVA align with NEP 2020 ?
It promotes creativity, knowledge creation, Indian perspectives, and multidisciplinary learning.
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