Overview
The National Book Trust, India (NBT) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, engaged in the publication and promotion of books. Headquartered in New Delhi, it functions as one of the country's principal government-owned publishers, producing literature in English, Hindi and several other Indian languages, and undertakes large-scale book promotion activities including the organisation of book fairs and reading promotion programmes.
Key facts
| Name | National Book Trust, India |
|---|---|
| Type | Autonomous body / Government-owned publisher |
| Parent ministry | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Founder | Government of India, during the prime ministership of Jawaharlal Nehru |
| Languages of publication | English, Hindi and other major Indian languages |
| Notable activity | New Delhi World Book Fair |
Background
The National Book Trust was established in 1957 by the Government of India to encourage the production and dissemination of good literature at moderate prices, and to make books accessible to readers across the country in their own languages. The Trust was conceived in the early years after Independence as part of a broader effort to support education, literacy and a national reading culture.
It is registered as a society and operates with financial support from the Union Government, while functioning at arm's length from the ministry that administers it. Over the decades the administrative responsibility for NBT has rested with the ministry handling education and human resource development, currently the Ministry of Education.
Functions and activities
- Publishing: NBT brings out original works and translations across genres including literature, biography, popular science, children's books, social sciences and books on art and culture. Several long-running series, such as those on national biographies and popular science, are produced under its imprint.
- Translation: A core mandate is to translate significant works between Indian languages and from Indian languages into English, and vice versa, to encourage inter-regional literary exchange.
- Children's literature: The Trust has a dedicated programme for the publication of books for children and young readers, including titles produced under its Nehru Bal Pustakalaya series.
- Book fairs: NBT organises the New Delhi World Book Fair, one of the largest book fairs in Asia, held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. It also participates in major international book fairs and represents India as Guest of Honour at several of them.
- Reading promotion: Through programmes such as the National Centre for Children's Literature and various readers' clubs, the Trust promotes reading habits, particularly among young readers and in underserved regions.
- Author and seminar programmes: The Trust conducts authors' meets, seminars, workshops and exhibitions across the country to bring writers and readers together.
Organisation
NBT is governed by a Board of Trustees, with a Chairman appointed by the Government of India and a Director who functions as the chief executive responsible for day-to-day administration. Its editorial work is organised into language-wise and subject-wise units, supported by production, marketing and rights divisions. The Trust maintains regional offices and sales outlets in different parts of India to extend its distribution network.
Timeline
- 1957: National Book Trust established by the Government of India.
- 1972: The first World Book Fair is organised in New Delhi by NBT, an event that subsequently develops into the regular New Delhi World Book Fair.
- Subsequent decades: Expansion of language lists, launch of dedicated children's literature programmes and translation initiatives.
- Contemporary period: NBT continues to function as the nodal agency for international book fair participation by India and for major reading promotion campaigns.
Significance
As a state-supported publisher, the National Book Trust occupies a distinctive position in the Indian publishing landscape. By keeping prices accessible and by publishing in multiple Indian languages, including in scripts and languages with smaller commercial markets, it complements private publishers and helps sustain a multilingual literary ecosystem. Its translation programme has played a notable role in introducing readers to writing from regions other than their own, while its children's books and reading promotion activities have contributed to early literacy efforts.
Related topics
- New Delhi World Book Fair
- Ministry of Education (India)
- Sahitya Akademi
- Publications Division
- National Council of Educational Research and Training
- Indian literature
- Children's literature in India
References
- Wikidata entity: Q3631376
- Government of India, Ministry of Education — official communications regarding autonomous bodies under the ministry.
- National Book Trust, India — official publications and catalogues.