Crossword Bookstores has announced the jury for the Crossword Book Awards 2025, unveiling a 15-member panel of distinguished voices from the worlds of literature, journalism, business, and culture. The announcement sets the stage for what promises to be one of the most exciting literary seasons of the year.
The diverse jury, spread across five categories — Fiction, Non-Fiction, Translations, Children’s Books, and Business & Management — will evaluate publisher submissions from across India. Each category will have three jurors who will curate a longlist of 10 titles, later narrowing it down to a shortlist of five, before selecting the final winner.
Announcing the panel, Aakash Gupta, CEO of Crossword Bookstores, said:
“For over 25 years, the Crossword Book Awards have been a benchmark for literary recognition in India. This year’s jury embodies the passion, integrity, and deep literary insight that define the Awards. We look forward to celebrating the voices that shape our stories and, in turn, our world.”
Jury Panels for Crossword Book Awards 2025
- Fiction: Navtej Sarna (acclaimed author & retired diplomat), Sunil Sethi (journalist, columnist & television presenter), Vaishna Roy (journalist).
- Non-Fiction: Satish Padmanabhan (Managing Editor, Outlook), Mandira Nayar (Deputy Bureau Chief, The Week), Milan Vaishnav (Senior Fellow & Director, South Asia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace).
- Translations: Poonam Saxena (journalist), S. Prasannarajan (Editor, Open magazine), Fathima E.V. (co-recipient, 2021 JCB Prize for Literature).
- Children’s Books: Anita Nair (author), Deepak Dalal (children’s writer), Deepa Agarwal (children’s writer & poet).
- Business & Management: Mitali Mukherjee (journalist & entrepreneur), Sonu Bhasin (business author), Sruthijith KK (media professional).
In addition to the jury-selected awards, the Popular Choice Awards will allow readers across India to vote for their favorite books, ensuring that public voices are part of the celebration.
With its combination of expert evaluation and reader participation, the Crossword Book Awards continues to champion India’s literary talent and cultural narratives. The 2025 edition is expected to further cement its place as one of the country’s most prestigious literary recognitions.
More details and updates are available at the official Instagram page: @crosswordbookawards.
