The 53rd edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 opened today in the National Capital. The nine-day fair brings together over one thousand publishers from more than 35 countries. The event was inaugurated by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

During his address, Mr Pradhan said books are a carrier of knowledge that bridges generations, preserves the memories of civilizations, and gives direction to society. He hailed the New Delhi World Book Fair as the biggest public celebration of the country’s reading culture. He said that the book fair has become a prestigious and trusted platform for publishers around the world.

Mr Pradhan noted that in the digital age, the government’s priority is to make knowledge accessible and inclusive, where language acts not as a barrier but as a bridge. He said that through national e-libraries in the fair, more than 6,000 free e-books will be available in over 23 languages, including features like text-to-speech. Talking to the media, the Minister underlined the government’s priority to encourage reading habit among the youth.

The theme of the Book Fair this year is Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @ 75. The theme pavilion is the main attraction, showcasing over five hundred books on military history and hosting more than one hundred theme-based events. The book fair will continue till the 18th of this month.