KATHA Utsav 2025
National Writers’ Workshop
Calling All Young Writers and Changemakers!
REGISTER
Submissions Close
30 Sep 2025
Are you a dreamer, a storyteller, a changemaker?
Do you have a story to share about the place you live in, the one you grew up in, or the one you dream of?
KATHA, invites students across India to submit original Fiction, Non-fiction, or Poetry that speaks of their India, their world, with honesty, imagination, and courage.
If you love writing, this is your stage!
KATHA Utsav is KATHA’s flagship event in building skills of expression in children, whether they identify themselves as poets, authors, or storytellers. As our geographical boundaries disappear, children need to develop respect for our traditions while accepting different cultures. KATHA Utsav helpschildren focus on self-improvement instead of unhealthy competition. This is achieved through mentorship and knowledge sharing. For us, every child is a winner!
| CATEGORIES | LANGUAGES | WORD LIMIT |
|---|---|---|
| Fiction | English or Hindi (Typed PDF) |
Classes IV–VII: 300 words Classes VIII–XII: 600 words Young Adults: 1000 words |
| Non-fiction | ||
| Poetry |
Why KATHA Utsav is the most sought-after National Writers’ Workshop in India!
Registration Fee (inclusive of workshops and jury review)
| Students Of | Age Category | Registration per Child |
|---|---|---|
| Private Schools (Registration by School OR by Parent / Child) | Classes 4 to 7 | Up to 15 Sep - ₹500 From 16 to 30 Sep - ₹750 |
| Classes 8 to 12 | Up to 15 Sep - ₹700 From 16 to 30 Sep - ₹950 |
|
| Government Schools (Registration by School only) | Classes 4 to 7 | ₹100 |
| Classes 8 to 12 | ₹100 | |
| 300M NGO Partners (Registration by School only) | Classes 4 to 7 | ₹100 |
| Classes 8 to 12 | ₹100 | |
| Colleges | ₹1000 |
HOW TO SUBMIT
1. Register at https://utsav.katha.org/register
2. Make payment
3. Type your submission in Word (or any other text editor), save as PDF, and upload (Maximum file size: 5 MB)
Questions?
Submission Categories
Fiction: A genre of literature that involves imaginary events and characters
Non-Fiction: Prose writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people
Poetry: A literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm.
IMPORTANT:
- Submissions will be subject to Plagiarism and AI checks. Submissions that fail these tests will be rejected without any notice to the student.
- Submissions that are over the WORD Limit will NOT be reviewed
- Submissions that are handwritten will NOT be reviewed
- Submissions that are images will NOT be reviewed
KATHA Utsav is a unique opportunity to:
- Participate in 2-day Workshops and learn from renowned authors, editors and mentors
- Represent your city and school on the national stage
- Be part of a movement for joyful, child-led storytelling in India
- Receive certificates for participation in Regional and National Workshops that honour your creativity
- Be featured in the “Best of KATHA Utsav Collection”
TIMELINE
| DATE | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 30 September | Deadline for story submissions |
| 21 October | Announcement of submissions shortlisted for Regional Workshops |
| 01–31 November | Regional Workshops |
| 8 December | Announcement of submissions shortlisted for National Workshop |
| December | National Writers’ Worskhop and Grand Finale (Delhi NCR / Chennai / Bengaluru )* |
* Dates for the Regional and National Workshops are subject to change
Why KATHA Utsav?
Master classes by Top Mentors: This edition of Utsav is joined by some of the finest performance artists, storytellers, journalists, and poets from across the country.
Meet Renowned Storytellers and Writers: You will get the opportunity to meet some of the finest storytellers and writers who will share their secrets to becoming great writers.
Immerse yourself in a fun experience: Regional Workshops and Grand Finale are not just limited to learning - you will experience the opportunity to make connections with peers from diverse regions and cultures to empower you with knowledge and information.
