Mumbai : Crossword Bookstores, one of India’s most cherished literary destinations, has announced the jury for the Crossword Book Awards 2025, marking another exciting chapter in the country’s most prestigious celebration of Indian writing.
This year, a 15-member jury featuring acclaimed authors, journalists, editors, translators, and business leaders will decide winners across five categories—Fiction, Non-Fiction, Translations, Children’s Books, and Business & Management.
“For over 25 years, the Crossword Book Awards have been a benchmark for literary recognition in India,” said Aakash Gupta, CEO of Crossword Bookstores. “This year’s jury embodies the passion, integrity, and deep literary insight that define the Awards.”
Jury Highlights:
- Fiction: Navtej Sarna, Sunil Sethi, Vaishna Roy
- Non-Fiction: Satish Padmanabhan, Mandira Nayar, Milan Vaishnav
- Translations: Poonam Saxena, S. Prasannarajan, Fathima E.V.
- Children’s Books: Anita Nair, Deepak Dalal, Deepa Agarwal
- Business & Management: Mitali Mukherjee, Sonu Bhasin, Sruthijith KK
Launched in 1998, the Crossword Book Awards have been at the forefront of celebrating Indian authors and inspiring new voices. Each jury panel will longlist 10 titles from submissions across India, narrow them down to a shortlist of five, and finally declare the winners.
Along with jury selections, the Popular Choice Awards will allow readers nationwide to vote for their favorite books, ensuring the awards reflect both critical excellence and public appreciation.
The 2025 edition promises to be a landmark celebration of India’s vibrant literary scene, blending expert judgment with reader participation.
