Call for Participation
India Padhta Hai
A free, virtual, all-India book reading challenge for adults - built around India's stories, ideas, and voices.
30 books
recommended across 3 themes
3 months
July, August, September
1 community
readers across India
About this project
A free book reading challenge for all of India
India Padhta Hai is Project Bhaskar's national virtual book reading challenge for adults (18+). Over three months (July, August, and September) participants will read one book a month around a focused theme, share their response, and become part of a growing community of readers engaging with India's stories, ideas, and voices.
The challenge closes with a grand Reading Circle finale in October, where top readers are recognised, certificates are awarded, and the best reviews and posts are celebrated.
Participation is entirely free.
Why we built this
Reading and language are inseparable. Every time someone picks up a book, they are keeping a living connection to how a culture thinks and imagines. When reading weakens, language flattens, and something in how we understand ourselves goes quiet. We are also living through the most significant shift in how humans process information since the printing press. In a world where AI can produce competent text on demand, the ability to read deeply, think critically, and bring genuine perspective is what keeps a mind, and a culture, relevant.
We believe that India's reading culture is not dead. It is dormant, dispersed, and waiting for a reason to gather.
The three themes
• July — Roots: Indian history, mythology, or culture
• August — India Now: Indian writers — English, translated, or original language
• September — Imagine: Indian sci-fi, fantasy, or speculative fiction
Any book that fits the theme counts. We have some recommendations, but you are free to choose any book as long as it fits the month's theme.
Two ways to participate
Track 1 — Post It: Read, then post a photo of the book on Instagram with three sentences and #IndiaPadhtaHai.
Track 2 — Review It: Read, then submit a 250–400 word written review via our monthly Google Form. The best reviews will be published.
Pick your track at registration. Both tracks earn the same milestones and are eligible for all prizes.
Our jury
India Padhta Hai's Best Review prize is judged by a panel of readers, writers, and cultural practitioners. We are delighted to have Prakruti Maniar, founder of Purple Pencil Project, as one of our judges. Purple Pencil Project is one of India's most respected platforms for literary culture, book discovery, and reading communities, and having Prakruti on the jury means the best reviews will be read by someone who takes Indian writing seriously.
Milestones & prizes
Complete one book and you're a Reader. Two books makes you a Story Keeper. All three earns you the India Padhta Hai certificate, and eligibility for prizes including Champion Reader, Best Review, Best Post, and our special India's Own award for the best Roots submission.
Key dates
Registration opens: 15 June 2026
Registration closes: 15 July 2026
Challenge runs: July – September 2026
Grand Finale Reading Circle: October 2026
Get Involved
Ready to contribute to
India Padhta Hai?
- ✓Because reading is a skill, not a hobby. In an age of AI-generated content and shrinking attention spans, the ability to read deeply and think independently is one of the most valuable things you can cultivate. This challenge is three months of deliberate practice.
- ✓Because Indian literature deserves more than a syllabus. From Geetanjali Shree to Perumal Murugan to Amitav Ghosh — Indian writing across languages is extraordinary. Most of it goes unread. This is your nudge.
- ✓Because reading alone is half the experience: Every participant joins a community - monthly reading circles, a shared leaderboard, and a grand finale where the best voices are heard. Reading together is different from reading alone.
- ✓Because it costs nothing: Free to join. No purchases required. Read whatever you already own, borrow, or find at a library.
- ✓Because you've been meaning to read more anyway: One book a month. That's it. India Padhta Hai is the accountability structure you've been missing.
Open until 15 Jul 2026
Project Organiser
Adaptiv Admin
@admin
Building the future of AI products at Adaptiv.Me.
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