Launched by the Arts and Culture Department of Puducherry, the Nehru Child Literature Prize is designed to encourage writers and authors to create original children’s literature in Tamil. The scheme provides a financial assistance of ₹10,000/- along with a certificate to eligible authors for their published work. Applications are accepted offline.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance:
Award of ₹10,000/- along with a certificate.
Eligibility
- Applicant Profile:
Must be a writer, author, or joint author. - Residency Requirement:
The applicant should be a native of Puducherry, either by birth or by continuous residence for not less than five years. - Publication Requirement:
The text must be printed and published as a first edition by 31st December of the specified year. - Award Frequency:
A one-time awardee is ineligible to apply for the subsequent four years. - Content Restrictions:
- The submitted text should be original; abridgments, adaptations, translations, or paraphrases of another text are not eligible.
- Essays or theses submitted for a university degree or examination are not eligible.
- Texts written for the academic syllabus will not be accepted.
- The children’s literature should be in Tamil and must not exceed 120 pages.
- Foundation lectures, other lectures, and serials in journals are excluded.
- Literary Categories:
Eligible works include novels, short stories, poems, plays, travelogues, collections of essays, and other literary forms specifically written for children.
Application Process
Offline Process
- Obtain the Application Form:
- Visit the Department of Art and Culture during office hours to request a hard copy of the prescribed application form from the designated staff.
- Alternatively, download the application form from the official website.
- Complete the Form:
- Fill in all mandatory fields.
- Affix a passport-sized photograph (signed across if required).
- Attach copies of all mandatory documents (self-attested if necessary).
- Submit the Application:
- Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the required documents to the Superintendent, Department of Art and Culture at No.1, Roman Roland Road, Puducherry 605 001.
- Obtain Acknowledgement:
- Request a receipt or acknowledgment from the superintendent. Ensure the receipt includes the date and time of submission and a unique identification number if applicable.
Notes:
- Five copies of the text submitted for the competition cannot be returned under any circumstances.
- Only application forms bearing the author’s signature will be accepted.
- For joint works by multiple authors, the prize money will be distributed equally among the authors.
Documents Required
- Passport-size photograph.
- Residence Certificate.
- Birth Certificate.
- Author Biographies.
- Five copies of the published text.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the Nehru Child Literature Prize?
It is a scheme that awards financial assistance and a certificate to authors for original children’s literature published in Tamil. -
Who is eligible to apply for the Nehru Child Literature Prize?
Writers, authors, or joint authors who are natives of Puducherry by birth or long-term residence (minimum five years) are eligible. -
What type of works are eligible for submission?
Eligible works include original literary forms like novels, short stories, poems, plays, travelogues, collections of essays, etc., written specifically for children and not exceeding 120 pages. -
What is the prize for the winning author?
The winning author receives a one-time financial assistance of ₹10,000/- along with a certificate. -
Can an author who has won the prize before apply again?
No, authors who have previously received the award are ineligible to apply for the next four years. -
Are translated or adapted works eligible for the prize?
No, the submission must be an original work and should not be a translation, adaptation, abridgment, or paraphrase of another text. -
What are the requirements for submitting an application?
Applicants must complete the prescribed application form, affix a passport-size photograph, and attach all required documents, then submit them to the designated authority. -
What is the page limit for the submitted children’s literature?
The text should not exceed 120 pages. -
How are the submitted works evaluated?
Submitted texts are evaluated by a panel of experts appointed by the Department of Art and Culture. -
Can multiple authors submit a joint work for the competition?
Yes, joint works are accepted, and the prize money will be shared among the authors. -
What happens if there are issues with the implementation of the scheme?
Applicants should refer to the guidelines provided in the Citizen’s Charter and on the official website. -
Can the Government change the regulations of the scheme?
Yes, the Government reserves the right to amend the scheme guidelines. -
When must the submitted texts be published to be eligible?
The texts must be published as a first edition by 31st December of the specified year.