CBSE Launches Budding Authors Programme to Nurture Young Writers

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has unveiled an exciting initiative aimed at nurturing the creative potential of students across India. The Budding Authors Programme provides young learners with a platform to develop their writing skills, imagination, and critical thinking by submitting original short stories. This initiative encourages students to express themselves, refine their storytelling abilities, and potentially see their work published at a national level.

Encouraging Originality and Creativity

CBSE’s Budding Authors Programme is designed with the core objective of cultivating originality and imagination among students. Writing is a powerful tool for developing analytical thinking, self-expression, and communication skills, and this programme seeks to harness these abilities from an early age. Through storytelling, students are encouraged to explore diverse ideas, craft compelling narratives, and engage with their peers’ work in a constructive manner.

The programme is open to students who wish to submit original, unpublished short stories in either Hindi or English, giving participants the flexibility to write in a language they are most comfortable with. This approach helps ensure that the creative potential of students from different linguistic backgrounds is celebrated and encouraged.

Submission Guidelines: Age-Appropriate Categories

To accommodate the varying levels of writing skills and comprehension among students, the CBSE has divided the programme into three categories:

• Classes 5-6: Stories should be between 500-600 words
• Classes 7-8: Stories should be between 600-900 words
• Classes 9-10: Stories should be between 1,000-1,500 words

These word limits are designed to challenge students appropriately while allowing them enough space to develop plot, character, and narrative style. Participants are encouraged to submit stories that are imaginative, original, and engaging, showcasing their ability to think creatively and critically.

Three Rounds of Evaluation

The Budding Authors Programme will follow a three-stage evaluation process, beginning at the school level and progressing to the national stage:

Round One: School-Level Participation

The first round of the programme will take place from January 6-31, 2026, at the school level. Each participating school will appoint a Nodal Officer, typically a teacher, to coordinate and facilitate student participation. During this stage, students submit their short stories to their respective schools, which will review the entries and select candidates for the next round.

This initial stage allows students to gain experience in preparing their work for evaluation, receiving guidance from teachers, and understanding the importance of presentation, originality, and narrative structure.

Round Two: Shortlisting for National Level

The second round is scheduled from February 3-27, 2026. Schools will register the total number of participants from the first round on the official CBSE portal. From this pool, each school must shortlist the best 12 entries to proceed further.

This stage ensures that only the most compelling and well-crafted stories move forward, giving students an opportunity to compete at a higher level and learn from the broader evaluation process.

Round Three: National Evaluation and Publication

In the final round, the shortlisted stories are evaluated by a panel of subject experts, who assess the works based on creativity, originality, clarity, and overall storytelling quality. The best entries at the national level will be e-published by CBSE as a compilation of short stories for each category.

Being published nationally is a significant incentive for young writers, offering them recognition and encouragement to continue developing their literary skills. For many students, this programme could serve as the first step toward a lifelong journey in writing or creative expression.

No Participation Fee

CBSE has ensured that the programme is completely free for students, removing any financial barriers to participation. By eliminating participation fees, the board encourages all eligible students to contribute their ideas, regardless of socio-economic background. This inclusive approach aligns with CBSE’s commitment to promoting equal opportunities for skill development among children across India.

Role of Teachers and Schools

Teachers play a crucial role in the success of the Budding Authors Programme. By acting as Nodal Officers, they guide students in understanding the submission process, reviewing drafts, providing constructive feedback, and helping students refine their storytelling. Schools serve as the first platform where creative writing can be nurtured in a supportive environment, allowing students to gain confidence in their abilities before their work reaches a national audience.

Benefits of Participating

Participation in the Budding Authors Programme offers a range of benefits for students:

1. Enhances Creativity and Imagination: Students explore new ideas, craft unique narratives, and develop original stories.
2. Improves Writing Skills: Structured feedback from teachers and experts helps students enhance grammar, structure, and storytelling techniques.
3. Develops Critical Thinking: Crafting compelling stories requires analyzing characters, events, and outcomes thoughtfully.
4. Boosts Confidence: Seeing their work evaluated and potentially published at a national level fosters self-confidence and a sense of achievement.
5. Encourages Lifelong Learning: Exposure to a creative process and literary evaluation may inspire students to pursue writing and other forms of creative expression in the future.

Preparing a Winning Story

To stand out in the programme, students should focus on:

• Originality: Avoid clichés and present fresh ideas that reflect personal creativity.
• Clarity and Structure: Ensure the story has a clear beginning, middle, and end, with well-developed characters and plot.
• Language and Style: Pay attention to grammar, vocabulary, and sentence construction.
• Engagement: Capture the reader’s interest from the first sentence and maintain it throughout the story.

Teachers can assist by organizing workshops or storytelling sessions, helping students brainstorm ideas, and reviewing drafts before submission. Such guidance can significantly enhance the quality of entries and encourage students to express themselves confidently.

Conclusion: Fostering a Generation of Young Writers

The CBSE Budding Authors Programme represents a significant step in promoting literary skills among school students. By providing a platform to submit original short stories, the board encourages imagination, creativity, and critical thinking—skills that are valuable across academics and life.

With no participation fee, structured guidance from schools, and the opportunity for national-level publication, the programme is an inclusive and inspiring initiative for budding writers. Students who participate not only gain recognition but also experience personal growth, enhanced confidence, and a deeper appreciation for the power of storytelling.