Prime Minister’s Young Authors Mentorship Scheme (YUVA) Scheme

On March 11, 2025 the Ministry of Education (MoE) along with the National Book Trust (NBT) of India kicked off their third Prime Minister’s Young Authors Mentorship Scheme under the name YUVA 3.0 Under this initiative the ministry provides young writers who are below thirty years old with mentorship opportunities that will develop their literary skills.

With success inherited from YUVA 1.0 and YUVA 2.0 the government maintains its dedication to developing literary talent and promoting reading, writing and book culture across India through YUVA 3.0. Through YUVA 3.0 the government seeks to follow Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat's vision by supporting the documentation of cultural heritage and knowledge distribution.

YUVA 3.0: Features and Objectives

Theme and Focus

• The themes of PM-YUVA 3.0 are:

  • Contribution of Indian Diaspora in Nation Building

  • Indian Knowledge System

  • Makers of Modern India (1950-2025)

The scheme works to establish a group of writers who will explain different Indian aspects from past to present to future.

Selection Process

• MyGov India hosts selectable applications through its online platform.

• Through a competitive evaluation system the organizers select 50 authors for participation in the program.

• The National Book Trust functions as the organ which conducts the selection.

• Prospective applicants need to submit their book proposals which should include 10,000 words for assessment.

• Multiple evaluation stages determine the selection of authors before reaching the final stage.

Mentorship and Support

• The mentorship program runs for six months as part of the support system for chosen authors.

• The participants receive monthly financial help amounting to ₹50,000.

• The authors of PM-YUVA 3.0 will attend their national camp event at the New Delhi World Book Fair in 2026.

• Authors whose works are published obtain promotional services in various Indian languages.

• The authors chosen take part in literary events that happen both nationally and internationally.

• During the mentorship phase authors at their starting stage receive support to connect with accomplished literary personalities and publishing executive members and industrial professionals.

Background of the YUVA Scheme

The National Education Policy 2020 attaches great importance to developing future leaders while establishing learning environments through young mind empowerment. This scheme addresses the lead role of young Indians because 66% of the population consists predominantly of youths to foster their creative capabilities for building a better nation.

Book publishing operates as the world's third-largest industry in India along with substantial local literature. Through its YUVA program the organization develops young authors into effective Indian Literature representatives. The program supports the translation of different works into native languages and worldwide languages to expand their impact among readers.

YUVA 2.0: Expansion and Achievements

Theme and Vision

• The program YUVA 2.0 started its operations in October 2022 by emphasizing Democracy which included Institutions and Events and People and Constitutional Values.

• Under this development program writers learned to study both democratic principles and governmental frameworks of India.

• Young writers displayed strong interest in the program because it received 12,000 applications which reached a new participation record.

YUVA 1.0: Inception and Legacy

Theme and Inspiration

• The initiative YUVA 1.0 started its operations in May 2021 as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

• The program theme under YUVA 1.0 was National Movement of India which deepened understanding of freedom struggle by introducing unfamiliar historical insights.

• The written works from YUVA 1.0 went through transformation into both educational materials and audiobook formats to serve wider groups of readers.

Future Prospects and Impact

• The Government of India aims to develop an online publishing platform which will assist YUVA scheme authors as they seek to obtain global readership.

• Multiple themed editions will be added to this scheme which will focus on science fiction, technology and environmental sustainability subjects.

• Indian authors should receive more chances for international opportunities through enhanced partnerships with global literary agencies.

Conclusion

Through its three editions the YUVA scheme has become fundamental for developing Indian youth writers. Since its inception the initiative keeps advancing creative expression while promoting multilingual literary heritage as well as reading and writing culture.

Through dedicated government backing and increasing participant numbers YUVA will become the foundation for India's new literary and cultural developments which will strengthen young authors' influence on global Indian literature.