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Published on September 17, 2026
National Young Authors Challenge 2.0 Launch
BIG RED EDUCATION AND PENGUIN INDIA LAUNCH THE NATIONAL YOUNG AUTHORS CHALLENGE
India’s nationwide young authors challenge returns bigger, with two categories, two books, and an exclusive publishing bootcamp with Penguin authors and editors.
New Delhi, 18 September 2026: Big Red Education, in partnership with Penguin India, one of the leading publishers in the country, proudly announces the launch of the second edition of the National Young Authors Challenge (NYAC), a global short story competition for students in Grades 5–12. Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the challenge returns this year with a larger platform designed to discover, develop, and celebrate India’s next generation of young storytellers.
The first edition of NYAC brought together more than 1000 students from 65+ schools across 45+ cities in India, receiving over 1200 story submissions from aspiring young writers across the country. The inaugural challenge saw the top 50 stories by young authors in an exclusive short story collection published by Penguin, while the next 50 selected stories were showcased on the official Penguin India website, highlighting the immense creative potential of young storytellers across India.
This year, NYAC comes back with two categories: Grades 5–8 and Grades 9–12, with distinct story plot themes for each category, the best of which will be published by Penguin Random House India as an anthology. The Top 50 stories from each category will be published, allowing 100 young authors to see their work in print. In addition, the next 100 stories from each category will be showcased on Penguin India’s official website, extending the opportunity for young writers to gain recognition for their work.
Taking the experience beyond the competition, every participant will also have access to an exclusive 8-hour publishing bootcamp led by Penguin authors and editors. The bootcamp will introduce students to the craft of storytelling, editing, developing a manuscript, and the publishing process, offering them an opportunity to learn directly from professionals in the literary and publishing world.
The National Young Authors Challenge is led by Big Red Education, an India-based education firm known for creating transformative learning experiences and opportunities for high school students. With its expanded categories, two-book publishing opportunity, national recognition, and immersive publishing bootcamp, National Young Authors Challenge 2.0 aims to take young writers one step closer to seeing their stories become part of the literary world. For more information about the challenge, participation details, categories, and submission guidelines, visit the official TNYAC 2.0 website.
About Big Red Eucation
Founded in 2016, Big Red Education is an India-based education firm offering transformative learning experiences beyond the classroom. Through its programs, initiatives, and partnerships, the organisation creates opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop practical skills, and engage with real-world challenges. Its work is focused on preparing young people to think creatively, communicate effectively, innovate, lead, and make a meaningful impact on a global stage.
About Penguin Random House India
Penguin Random House India is the country’s leading trade publisher, publishing over 450 new titles every year and managing a diverse backlist of more than 3,500 books. Its publishing spans literary and commercial fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, from politics, history, memoir, and business to health, self-help, cookery, and culture.
Penguin Random House India is home to some of India’s and the world’s most celebrated voices, including winners of the Nobel Prize, Booker Prize, Jnanpith Award, and Sahitya Akademi Award. Several of its authors have also been honoured with the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan, reflecting the influence of their work in literature and public life.
