Books often outlive headlines. Long after news cycles move on, stories, ideas and questions explored in books continue to influence how people understand the world around them. Celebrating the power of writing and storytelling, Godrej Literature Live! has announced the longlists for its 2026 Literary Awards across Fiction, Non-Fiction, Debut Writing and Business categories.
The awards are among the most anticipated recognitions in India’s literary calendar and honour both established and first-time authors. The winners will be announced on October 25 during a special ceremony at Godrej Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest.
This year’s longlists reflect the remarkable diversity of contemporary Indian writing. From novels that explore personal journeys and social realities to books examining politics, history, economics and culture, the selected titles offer readers multiple ways of understanding modern India and the world beyond.
In the Fiction category, six books have made it to the longlist, including Rahul Bhattacharya’s Railsong, Amrita Mahale’s Real Life, Karan Mahajan’s The Complex, Jeet Thayil’s The Elsewhereans, Stephen Alter’s The Greatest Game: Being The Further Adventures of Kimball O’Hara, and Shanta Gokhale’s The Way Home: Stories.
The Non-Fiction longlist highlights works that engage with important national and global themes. Among the selected books are A Sixth of Humanity: Independent India’s Development Odyssey by Devesh Kapur and Arvind Subramanian, Believer’s Dilemma by Abhishek Choudhary, China’s Wars by Vijay Gokhale, Scamlands by Snigdha Poonam, The Hindi Heartland by Ghazala Wahab, and We, the People of India by T. M. Krishna.
The awards also place special emphasis on emerging voices. The Best First Book categories recognise debut authors who are bringing fresh perspectives to Indian literature. The fiction longlist includes works by Deepika Arwind, Sayantan Ghosh, Roopa Unnikrishnan, Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew, Zeenat Khan and Bela Negi. Meanwhile, the non-fiction debut category features books covering subjects ranging from Kashmir and archaeology to music, public health and migration.
The Business Book of the Year category reflects the growing interest in entrepreneurship, innovation and economic change. Longlisted titles explore India’s startup ecosystem, pharmaceutical industry, stock markets, digital commerce and niche business strategies. Books such as BuildIt, Made in India, Running Behind Lakshmi, OTP Please, Tatyasaheb and The Niche Code offer insights into the changing landscape of Indian enterprise.
The awards are judged by distinguished juries drawn from literature, theatre, media, business, law and public service. Their collective expertise helps ensure that the selected works are evaluated not only for literary merit but also for their contribution to public thought and discussion.
At a time when attention spans are shrinking and information often arrives in quick fragments, books continue to offer something different: the opportunity to slow down, reflect and engage deeply with ideas.
The Godrej Literature Live! Literary Awards celebrate that enduring value. More than a recognition of authors, they are a reminder that stories and ideas still have the power to inform, challenge and connect people across different backgrounds and experiences.
