Prime Minister's Scheme For Mentoring Young Authors

Background

National Education Policy 2020 has emphasised on the empowerment of the young minds and creating a learning eco-system that can make the young readers/learners ready for leadership roles in the future world. India is considered to be a ‘young country’ because 66% of its total population are young and can be tapped for capacity and nation building. In this context, a national scheme for mentoring generations of young authors has proven to be a significant stepping stone for laying the foundation of the future leaders of the creative world. The first mentorship scheme was launched on 31st May 2021. The theme was National Movement of India with focus on Unsung Heroes; little known facts about the Freedom Struggle; Role of various places in National Movement; Entries bringing out new perspectives related to political, cultural, economic, or science related aspects of national movement etc. as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

This scheme has been conceptualised on the premise that the twenty first century India needs to groom a generation of young authors to create ambassadors of Indian literature and world view. In view of the fact that our country is ranked third in the arena of book publishing and we have a treasure trove of indigenous literature, India must project it at the global stage.

Introduction

In view of the significant impact of the first edition of PM-YUVA Scheme with large scale participation of young and budding authors in 22 Indian languages and English, PM-YUVA 2.0 is being launched on 2nd October 2022.

Theme

The Theme of PM-YUVA 2.0 is Democracy (Institutions, Events, People, and Constitutional Values)

• Institutions
• Events
• People
• Constitutional Values

The scheme will help to develop a stream of writers who can write on various facets of Democracy in India encompassing the past, present and future. Besides, the scheme will also provide a window to the aspiring youth to articulate themselves and present a comprehensive outlook of Indian democratic values at domestic as well as international platforms.

The Theme is specific to Democracy in Indian context only so as to give a fillip to research and documentation about various aspects of Indian democratic system.

Proposal

This proposal of mentorship of young authors is in tune with PM’s vision of Global Citizen that needs to be launched to train young and budding authors up to the age of 30 years in order to promote reading, writing and book culture in the country, and project India and Indian writings globally.

To comprehensively understand the concept of evolution of democracy and its trajectory in India it needs to be studied under various subheadings like constitution, women, youth, religion, history, human rights, education, nationalism, culture etc. which would be the primary aim of the PM-YUVA 2.0 mentorship Scheme.

Implementation & Execution

The National Book Trust, India (under BP Division, Ministry of Education, GOI) as the Implementing Agency will ensure phase-wise execution of the Scheme under well-defined stages of mentorship.

Selection Procedure of Young Authors

• A total of 75 authors will be selected through an All India Contest hosted on MyGov platform. https://mygov.in
• The selection will be made by a Committee to be constituted by NBT.
• The Scheme will be launched on 2nd October 2022
• The Contest Period will be from 2nd October to 15th January 2023.
• The contestants will be asked to submit a Book proposal of 10,000 words. Therefore, division as per the following :
  • Synopsis: 2000-3000 words
  • Chapter Plan: Yes
  • Two-three sample chapters: 7000-8000 words
  • Bibliography and References: Yes
• The Evaluation Period of the Proposals will be from 16th January 2023 - 31st March 2023
• The Meeting of the National Jury will be held in April 2023
• The names of selected authors will be announced in May 2023
• The Mentorship duration would be from 1st June 2023 - 30th November 2023
• The publication of the first set of books will commence from 1st February 2024

Guidelines

• Applicants who had qualified for the PM-YUVA scheme 2021-22 (final Result only) are not eligible for PM-YUVA 2.0 scheme 2022-23.
• Contestants should not have any personal, professional, or academic obligations that interfere with the mentorship schedule during the PM-YUVA 2.0.
• The maximum age of the contestant should be exactly 30 years or below as on 2nd October 2022.
• The submissions of the manuscript will be accepted through MyGov only till 11:59 PM on 15th January 2023.
• The genre of the entry of PM-YUVA 2.0 scheme should be Non-Fiction only.
• The change of topic of the Book Proposal will not be allowed after submission.
• There should be only ONE entry per person. Those who have already submitted may resubmit their entry. In that case, their first submitted entry will be treated as withdrawn. Ultimately only one entry will be evaluated per participant.

Mentorship Schedule –Six Months

• The National Book Trust, India will organise a Two-Week Writers’ Online Programme for the selected candidates.
• During which the young authors will be trained by two eminent authors/mentors from NBT’s panel of accomplished authors and writers.
• In addition, eminent authors/mentors under NBT’s Advisory Panel and other eminent authors from various languages will mentor and guide them on how to exercise their literary skills.
• The eco-system of publishing--how a content is created, authors are mentored, the editorial processes that take place, literary agents spot creative talent would be an integral aspect of the programme.
• The authors will get to expand their understanding and hone their skills through interaction at various international events such as Literary Festivals, Book Fairs virtual Book Fair, Cultural Exchange Programmes, etc.

Disbursement of Scholarships

• At the end of training and mentorship a consolidated scholarship of Rs. 50,000 per month for a period of six months (50,000 x 6 = Rs. 3 Lakh) per author will be paid under the Mentorship Scheme for the books developed under the scheme.
• A royalty of 10% will be payable to the authors on successful publications of their books at the end of the Mentorship Program.
• The books thus published under the scheme may be translated into other Indian languages ensuring the exchange of culture and literature between different states of India and thereby promoting Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat.
• They will also be given a platform to promote their books and also to propagate the Reading and Writing culture on a national scale.

Outcome of the scheme

This scheme will ensure creation of a pool of authors in Indian languages as well as English who are ready to express themselves and project India on any international platform, as well as it will help in projecting Indian culture and literature globally.

It will make sure to bring reading and authorship as a preferred profession at par with other job options, making the youth of India take reading and knowledge as an integral part of their grooming up years. In addition, it will bring a positive psychological push to the young minds given the impact and effect of the recent pandemic on mental health of the youth.

India being the third largest publisher of books in the world, this scheme will give a boost to the Indian publishing industry, by bringing in new generation of authors writing for national and international audience.

This programme will thereby be in tune with PM’s vision of Global Citizen and Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat and establish India as a Vishwa Guru.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q-1: What is the ‘Theme’ of PM-YUVA 2.0?
Answer: Core theme of the scheme is Democracy (institutions, events, people, constitutional values-past, present, future). For better understanding you may refer to the website.

Q-2: What is the duration of the contest?
Answer: The duration of the contest is 2nd October-15th January 2023.

Q-3: Till what time the submissions will be accepted?
Answer: The submissions will be accepted till 11:59 PM on 15th January 2023..

Q-4: What will be the deciding factor in accepting the receipt of the entries: the receiving date of hard copies or soft copies?
Answer: The soft copies received in typed format will be the only deciding factor for the deadlines.

Q-5: Can I write in any Indian language?
Answer: Yes, you can write in English and also in any of the following languages as listed in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India:
(1) Assamese, (2) Bengali, (3) Gujarati, (4) Hindi, (5) Kannada, (6) Kashmiri,
(7) Konkani, (8) Malayalam, (9) Manipuri, (10) Marathi, (11) Nepali, (12) Oriya,(13) Punjabi, (14) Sanskrit, (15) Sindhi, (16) Tamil, (17) Telugu, (18) Urdu,(19) Bodo, (20) Santali, (21) Maithili and (22) Dogri.

Q-6: How will the maximum age of 30 years be decided?
Answer: You should be exactly 30 years or below as on 2nd October 2022.

Q-7: Can foreign nationals participate in the contest?
Answer: Only Indian nationals including those holding PIOs or NRIs holding Indian passports can participate in the contest.

Q-8: I am a PIO/NRI holding Indian Passport, do I have to attach the documents?
Answer: Yes, kindly attach a copy of your passport/PIO card with your entry.

Q-9: Where should I send my entry to?
 Answer: Entry can be sent through MyGov only. 

Q-10: Can I submit more than one entry?
 Answer: Only one entry per contestant is allowed.

Q-11: What should be the structure of the entry?
Answer: It should have a chapter plan, synopsis and two-three sample chapters with 10,000 as maximum word limit as per the following format:

Q-12: Can I submit more than 10,000 words?
Answer: Maximum word limit of 10,000 words should be adhered to.

Q-13: How will I know that my entry has been registered?
Answer: You will receive an automated acknowledgment email.

Q-14: I will be submitting my entry in an Indian language, should I attach its English translation?
Answer: No. Kindly attach 200 words gist of your entry in either English or  Hindi.

Q-15: Is there any minimum age for entry?
Answer: No minimum age has been prescribed.

Q-16: Can I send the handwritten manuscript?
Answer: No. It should be neatly typed as per the format specified.

Q-17: What is the genre of entry?
Answer: Non-fiction only.

Q-18: Will poetry and fiction be accepted?
Answer: No, Poetry and Fiction will not be accepted.

Q-19: If the manuscript has information that is quoted from an external source, how and where does it need to be mentioned/how do I quote the source of reference?
Answer: If information from an external source in a non-fiction manuscript has been included, the source needs to be mentioned as footnotes/endnotes or in a consolidated ‘Works Cited’ section, if required.

Q-20: Can I submit my Indian language entry in Unicode?
Answer: Yes, it can be sent in Unicode.

Q-21: What should be the format of submission?
Answer:

Q-22: Are simultaneous submissions allowed/can I send a proposal that has been submitted to another competition/journal/magazine etc?
Answer: No, simultaneous submissions are not allowed.

Q-23: What is the procedure to edit/exchange an entry/manuscript that has already been submitted?
Answer: Once an entry has been submitted, it cannot be edited or withdrawn.

Q-24: Can the submissions also have pictures / illustrations to support the text?
Answer: Yes, the text can be supported with pictures or illustrations if you hold copyright for the same.

Q-25: Can I participate if I have been part of YUVA 1.0?
Answer: Yes, but only if you have not been in the final list of 75 selected authors of PM-YUVA 1.0.

Q-26: Will there be any order of merit in final 75?
Answer: No, All 75 winners will be at par without any order of merit.