Sahitya Akademi Fellowship 2026: Pratibha Ray Among 3 Writers Honoured with India’s Highest Literary Award

The Sahitya Akademi has announced its highest honour, the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (Mahattar Sadasyata), for three eminent writers, including noted Odia author Pratibha Ray.

The decision was taken during the Akademi’s General Council meeting held alongside the Sahitya Utsav in New Delhi.

Three writers, one of the highest honours in literature

This year’s Fellowship has been awarded to three distinguished names in Indian literature:

• Pratibha Ray (Odia): A celebrated novelist with over 50 books, known for her powerful writing on social issues and human emotions. She is also a Jnanpith and Padma Bhushan awardee.
• Laxmi Khilani (Sindhi): A respected storyteller, playwright, and translator who has played a major role in preserving Sindhi literature.
• Abdus Samad (Urdu): A prominent novelist and poet with more than 24 works, widely recognised in Urdu literature.

Why this award is so special

The Sahitya Akademi Fellowship is the highest literary honour in India and is extremely rare.

• Only 21 Fellows can exist at any time
• It is awarded to writers with lifelong contributions
• It is considered a recognition of literary excellence at the highest level

What the Akademi said

Sahitya Akademi Secretary Pallavi Prashant Holkar said the Akademi is proud to honour these exceptional writers. The formal award ceremony will be announced soon.

Sahitya Utsav 2026 Highlights

The announcement comes during Sahitya Utsav 2026, inaugurated by Akademi President Madhav Kaushik.

The festival is one of the biggest literary events in the country, featuring more than 650 writers and covering over 50 Indian languages.

A proud moment for Odisha

With Pratibha Ray receiving the Fellowship, Odisha continues its strong literary legacy.

In recent years, several noted writers from the state have also received this honour, including:

• Jayanta Mahapatra (2019)
• Sitakanta Mahapatra (2013)
• Ramakanta Rath (2009)
• Manoj Das (2006)

what is " SAHITYA AKADEMI FELLOWSHIP " 

 The highest honour conferred by the Akademi on a writer is by electing him/her as its Fellow. This honour is reserved for the 'immortals of literature' and limited to twenty-one only at any given time. 

Why it matters

This honour recognises writers who have made a lasting impact on Indian literature and culture. It also highlights the importance of regional languages and storytelling traditions across the country.

The Fellowship highlights the importance of Indian languages and literature, recognising writers who have shaped the country’s cultural and intellectual identity.

With this honour, the three writers join an elite group of literary legends whose work continues to inspire generations.