| 22min Read
Published on August 12, 2026
National Young Authors Challenge 2.0
Last Year’s Winners Came from These Schools
Young authors from leading schools across India participated in the inaugural National Young Authors Challenge. Discover the schools that our winning authors proudly represented.
What's New in NYAC 2.0?
Bigger & More Inclusive:
Now Open to Grades 5–12
After opening to Grades 8–12 last season, NYAC 2.0 expands the opportunity to a wider community of young writers across Random House, with separate categories for Grades 5–8 and Grades 9–12.
2 books being published
The Top 50 stories from each category will be published in two separate books by Penguin Random House. 100 young authors will have the opportunity to see their stories published.
More Opportunities
Beyond publication, next 50 short stories across both categories would be showcased through Penguin’s Random House’s official website.
Recognition & Awards
NYAC 2.0 celebrates young writers at every stage of the journey.
Two Penguin India Books
Featured & Celebrated
Exclusive Publishing Bootcamp
Watch the National Young Authors Challenge Live Award Ceremony:
Meet the Winners of NYAC Season 1
Last Season’s Young Authors
From thousands of young storytellers, these talented writers stood out with their creativity, originality, and storytelling. Explore the Top 50 young authors from our inaugural edition.
MEET THE TOP 50 WINNERSDiscover the Next 50
Explore the next 50 outstanding young authors whose stories were recognised and showcased through Penguin India’s official website.
EXPLORE THE NEXT 50Pricing that scales with your submissions
Register early to lock in the lower rate. Pricing is per delegate, based on the number of submissions.
30TH NOVEMBER 2026
School Registration Deadline: 1st November 2026
Guidelines
Everything you need to know before you send in your short story.
Document Format
1. Submit the story as a Word document or PDF.
2. Use A4 page size.
Text Format
1. Use Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri.
2. Font size: 12 pt.
3. Line spacing: 1.5.
4. Use black text only.
Don'ts
1. Do not include images, illustrations, maps or decorative formatting.
Title
1. The title should appear at the top of the first page.
Word Limit Options
1. 500 to 650 words.
2. Top 50 entries published in a book by Penguin.
Custom Software
A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. It is a paradise
Planning to attend as
part of a group or school delegation?
Get Published by Penguin Random House India!
Penguin isn't just a publisher, it's a global storytelling powerhouse with a legacy that stretches back to the 1800s. Home to timeless classics and today's bestsellers, it has published books for every age and stage of life.
With over 80 Nobel Prize-winning authors and hundreds of the world's most celebrated voices, Penguin has shaped generations of readers across the globe. When you become part of the Penguin family, you're joining a tradition of greatness and a future of endless possibility.
Selected entries will be evaluated through a structured judging process involving Penguin India authors, with a focus on creativity, originality, storytelling quality, and age-appropriate writing.
Hear From the Parents of Our Top 50 Young Authors:
Your Story Could Be Published by Penguin Random House India!
You just need a story worth telling.
Interested in Sponsoring NYAC 2.0?
Partner with us in empowering the next generation of young writers and storytellers.
Our Gallery
Outstanding young authors will be invited to a special recognition ceremony celebrating creativity, storytelling, and literary excellence. The ceremony brings together students, educators, publishing professionals, and fellow writers to celebrate the incredible achievements of India's next generation of storytellers.
The Spark
You've always had stories in your head, worlds, characters, emotions. Now, it's time to bring them to life and share them.
Enter the Competition
Submit your original writing to a platform that recognizes real talent. No limits. Just your imagination and a blank page.
Recognition & Certificates
Every participant gets a certificate that celebrates your creativity, a milestone for your personal and academic journey.
Get Published by Penguin
Yes, the Penguin. One of the world's most respected publishing houses. Your story will sit alongside legendary authors and inspire readers everywhere.
Get Published by Penguin!
Penguin isn’t just a publisher, it’s a global storytelling powerhouse with a legacy that stretches back to the 1800s. Home to timeless classics and today’s bestsellers, it has published books for every age and stage of life.With over 80 Nobel Prize-winning authors and hundreds of the world’s most celebrated voices, Penguin has shaped generations of readers across the globe.When you become part of the Penguin family, you're joining a tradition of greatness and a future of endless possibility.
Here’s What Winners Take Home
Top 50 young authors will be published in print. The next 50 will be featured on Penguin’s Website.
Winners also receive exclusive Penguin merchandise.
William Jackson
WordPress Dev.
Your Journey from Writer to
Published Author With Penguin
Step 1: The Spark
You've always had stories in your head worlds, characters, emotions. Now, it's time to bring them to life and share them.
Step 2: Enter the Competition
Submit your original writing to a platform that recognizes real talent. No limits. Just your imagination and a blank page.
Step 3: Recognition & Certificates
Every participant gets a certificate that celebrates your creativity a milestone for your personal and academic journey.
Step 4: Get Published by Penguin
Yes, the Penguin. One of the world’s most respected publishing houses. Your story will sit alongside legendary authors and inspire readers everywhere.
Certificate
Every entrant will receive an official Certificate of Participation signed by the Penguin Senior Vice President. This formal certificate celebrates each student’s creativity and dedication to the National Young Authors Challenge and serves as a distinguished addition to academic portfolios, college applications, and future writing endeavors.
what will the students get
Not just the winners win! While the top entries will see their books published, every single participant walks away with exclusive benefits, resources, and recognition designed to boost their writing journey.
Every entrant will receive an official Certificate of Participation signed by the Penguin CEO. This formal certificate celebrates each student’s creativity and dedication to the National Young Authors Challenge and serves as a distinguished addition to academic portfolios, college applications, and future writing endeavors.
Participants will get attend comprehensive 2-day bootcamp conducted by experienced Penguin authors and editors, offering in-depth guidance on writing, editing, and preparing work for publication.
Pricing Plan
Students may submit up to three entries.
National Young Authors Challenge 2.0
India's biggest creative writing competition is back, bigger, better, and open to Grades 5–12.
Presented by Big Red Education in partnership with Penguin
This year, the National Young Authors Challenge returns with its biggest edition yet. With expanded participation from Grades 5–12, exciting new recognition opportunities, and an even larger platform for young storytellers, NYAC 2.0 invites students across India to discover the power of storytelling and share their voices with the world.
Whether you dream of becoming an author or simply love writing, this is your opportunity to create, inspire, and be recognized nationally.
