Article

Jan 7, 2026

New Delhi World Book Fair 2026: Your Complete Guide

Hosted at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan (Halls 2 to 6), the nine-day fair is expected to welcome over one million visitors, 1,000+ publishers, and 3,000+ stalls, featuring book launches, rights negotiations, cultural programs, and large-scale reader engagement.

Panoramic aerial shot of Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, showing expansive Halls 2–6 with book fair setup including white tents, signage, pathways, and parking for NDWBF 2026 crowds.

Event Details at a Glance

This guide covers event dates, venue directions, visitor entry details, high-value opportunities, and how professionals can capture and convert trade fair leads effectively during the fair.

Vibrant expo hall at New Delhi World Book Fair with diverse visitors browsing 3,000+ stalls of publishers, authors signing books, colorful displays of fiction, children's books, and international titles amid cultural event banners.

Event: New Delhi World Book Fair 2026

  • Dates: January 10 to 18, 2026

  • Venue: Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Delhi, India

  • Organizer: National Book Trust, India

Official Event Website & Information: https://www.nbtindia.gov.in/ndwbf2026/

Why New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 Matters

India's publishing industry thrives on events like NDWBF, which foster literacy, cultural exchange, and business growth amid rising digital and regional language demand. Organized by the National Book Trust (NBT) under the Ministry of Education, the fair's shift to Bharat Mandapam (Halls 2–6) expands space for 3,000+ stalls from 1,000+ publishers across Indian languages and international participants.​

Free entry maximizes accessibility, attracting students, families, professionals, and book lovers to explore fiction, academics, children's literature, e-books, and rare collections while engaging in 600+ cultural programs like author talks, workshops, and military-themed sessions honoring India's armed forces at 75 years.​

Business Value for Publishers & Authors

  • Massive Exposure: Connect with buyers, distributors, libraries, and educators; past editions saw deals for regional titles, exports, and digital rights.​

  • Author & Rights Networking: Authors' Corner hosts launches, panels; ideal for pitching to agents amid growing self-publishing and translations.​

  • Market Insights: Seminars on printing tech, audiobooks, and folk literature reveal trends in India's ₹10,000+ crore book market.​

Visitor & Reader Benefits

  • Diverse Content: Bestsellers, comics, self-help, Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya (6,000+ free e-books in 23+ languages), Kids Express pavilion with activities.​

  • Global & Cultural Access: Books from 30+ countries; performances by armed forces bands and international groups.​

  • Affordable Discovery: Free entry (11 AM–8 PM) makes it Delhi's premier winter literary festival.​

The fair shapes India's reading culture, boosts underrepresented voices (e.g., North East, tribal lit from past themes), and drives sales through high footfall at Pragati Maidan.​


Kids Express area at New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 displaying interactive children's books, comics, storytelling sessions, activity zones, and educational e-books from Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya for young readers.

High-Value Opportunities You’ll Find at the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026

Multi-Genre Product Discovery

Fiction, non-fiction, academic publishing, children’s books, military history titles, and digital publishing solutions spread across thousands of stalls.

Distributor and Retailer Onboarding

Publishers appoint booksellers, librarians, distributors, and channel partners for nationwide reach.

Rights and Author Insights

Sessions at Lekhak Manch, the New Delhi Rights Table, and CEO Speak offer insights into market trends, translation deals, and acquisition strategies.

Global and Cultural Exposure

More than 50 participating countries present international pavilions, workshops, poetry recitals, cultural programmes, and structured B2B matchmaking



Who You’ll Meet Across the Publishing Value Chain New Delhi World Book Fair 2026

New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 attracts a diverse professional audience, including:

  • Publishers, editors, and imprint owners


  • Authors, literary agents, and rights managers


  • Booksellers, distributors, and librarians


  • Educators, institutions, and wholesalers


  • Retail chains, e-commerce platforms, and bookstores


  • Service providers for printing, logistics, and digital publishing tools

This wide network drives deals and collaborations, but also demands organised lead capture across hundreds of parallel conversations.

Real Challenges Professionals Face at Massive Book Fairs

New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 moves at breakneck speed.

Mornings are dominated by rights negotiations and international meetings. Afternoons fill with bulk order discussions from libraries and institutions. Evenings bring retailer conversations, author interactions, and partnership talks, often all at the same stall.

By the end of the day:

  • Business cards lack clear context


  • Badge scans capture names but not intent


  • Author sessions and rights discussions blur together


  • Priority leads get buried under volume

Without immediate structure, genuine interest fades into post-fair backlog and missed follow-ups.

A Smarter Way to Capture Conversations and Follow Ups at the World Book Fair

At a high-volume event like this, manual tracking quickly collapses under footfall.

Using Habsy Business Card Manager, publishing teams can capture every meaningful interaction the moment it happens and convert it into organised, actionable data.

Habsy is built for busy trade fairs where speed, context, and follow-up discipline matter.

With Habsy, teams can:

  • Scan visitor badges and business cards instantly at crowded stalls


  • Add notes, tags, and voice memos such as “bulk order lead”, “rights enquiry”, or “regional distributor”


  • Use custom fields to separate high-intent distributors from casual browsers


  • Set follow-up reminders immediately, before conversations fade


  • Deduplicate contacts automatically across team members


  • Export clean, CRM-ready lead lists for sales or publishing teams

Instead of post-event confusion, Habsy turns stall interactions into structured follow-ups and measurable outcomes.


Visitor Pass, Registration, and Entry Details for New Delhi World Book Fair 2026

Busy Authors' Corner at NDWBF 2026 with writers on stage for talks, fans queuing for autographs, bookshelves of new releases, and military-themed posters highlighting 75 years of Indian armed forces.

New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 is open to trade professionals, authors, and the general public, with free daily entry from 11 AM to 8 PM.

Visitors can:

  • Walk in and collect visitor passes at entry gates

  • Check registration for special access and exhibitor information

  • Explore over 600 events, stalls, and pavilions

Official Visitor Information Portal:
https://www.nbtindia.gov.in/ndwbf2026/

Visitor Registration Link:
https://www.nbtindia.gov.in/bookfairs/register



A Smooth Guide to the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 Venue

Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan
New Delhi, Delhi, India

Search “Bharat Mandapam Pragati Maidan” on Google Maps. The venue is a major metro-connected hub designed for large public events.

From Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

  • Distance: approximately 16 km

  • Metro: Airport Express to New Delhi station, then Violet Line to Pragati Maidan

  • Travel time: 45 to 60 minutes

  • Taxi: 30 to 45 minutes, ₹500 to ₹800

From New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS)

  • Distance: approximately 5 km

  • Metro: Violet Line direct to Pragati Maidan

  • Travel time: 10 minutes

  • Auto or taxi: 15 to 25 minutes, ₹150 to ₹250

By Road and Public Transport

  • Metro stations: Supreme Court or Pragati Maidan

  • DTC buses stop directly at Pragati Maidan

  • Multi-level parking available onsite, arrive early on peak days

Turning New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 Into Long-Term Value

New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 generates unparalleled visibility and connections for the publishing ecosystem.

The lasting impact, however, depends on what happens after the fair.

Teams that capture leads systematically, follow up while conversations are fresh, and organise contacts effectively are the ones that convert fair interactions into distribution contracts, rights agreements, and long-term partnerships.

Handled well, the fair becomes more than nine busy days. It becomes a growth engine for publishing across India and beyond.

New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 FAQ

Q: When is New Delhi World Book Fair 2026?
A: January 10 to 18, 2026, 11 AM–8 PM daily.​

Q: Is entry free for New Delhi World Book Fair 2026?
A: Yes, completely free—no tickets or passes needed.​

Q: Where is New Delhi World Book Fair 2026?
A: Halls 2–6, Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.