The 53rd New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 was inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on January 10 and continues until January 18, 2026. The fair — organised annually by the National Book Trust (NBT) under the Ministry of Education — features over 1,000 publishers and more than 600 events including book launches, author interactions, panel discussions, and workshops. Entry is free for all visitors. The 2026 edition's theme centres on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and literature, exploring how AI is transforming publishing, authorship, and reading habits. The fair features Qatar as the Guest of Honour Country and Spain as the Focus Country. Rajasthan has a prominent presence at the fair through the Rajasthan Sahitya Academy (Ajmer) and private publishers from Jaipur — reinforcing the state's rich literary heritage including the works of Mirabai, Kabir, and modern Rajasthani literature. The fair also highlights Hindi literature prominently, coming immediately after World Hindi Day on January 10. The NBT's mission to promote reading culture and make quality books affordable across India aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's emphasis on multilingual learning and indigenous knowledge systems.