The Deodar Prize 2025 is now open for submissions. We share details in this blogpost.
A big moment for Indian writers is here — The Deodar Prize 2025 is now accepting submissions!
If you’re a fiction writer ready to share your boldest, most moving story, this is your chance. The Deodar Prize is fast becoming one of the most exciting literary prizes in India, offering not just recognition, but a real platform for emerging and established voices alike.
About The Deodar Prize 2025
The Deodar Prize is an effort to recognise new themes and voices in literary fiction in India.
The deodar cedar is indigenous to the Himalayas, where its local name Devdar translates from the original Sanskrit as “timber of the gods”. But during the British Raj, the pine tree — a more eroding species with better commercial value — got extensively cultivated in regions of Uttarakhand and Himachal. Today, we need more diverse and native varieties of plants (like the deodar) to build the resilience of our mountains. This prize is a tribute to the tree that grounds our soil, gives us its seed in the deodar cedar cone, and builds our home in the mountain
This year, the Deodar 2025 prize is dedicated to the “short story” — a format that goes back 5000 years. The Epic of Gilgamesh — the oldest recorded short story — reveals the emerging consciousness of humankind, as it was stepping out of the Neolithic era. But as a larger example, it shows us how stories best capture, and fossilise, the cultural imagination of any time. (Source)
What’s New in 2025?
This year, the Deodar Prize is collaborating with the prestigious Bangalore Literature Festival, which will take place on 6–7 December, 2025. This means even more visibility and literary celebration!
Prizes This Year:
- Winner:
- A cash prize of Rs. 1 Lakh
- An unconditional offer to be published in The Bombay Literary Magazine’s December edition
- Announcement at the Bangalore Literature Festival
- Two Runners-up:
- Awarded the Promising Writer Award
- A cash prize of Rs. 10,000 each
- Personalized editorial feedback from a panel of editors
- Offer for publication in Hammock Magazine
Who Can Submit?
All persons, above the age of 18, and holding Indian citizenship (resident in India or abroad) are eligible to submit. As we are trying to provide a platform for emerging writers, authors who have previously published a novel(s) are encouraged not to apply. If you have self-published a book, that is alright.
Note: the story being submitted for consideration should NOT have been published on any platform (online or offline).
Recommended Reads: Literary Awards in India
Why Should You Submit?
- Get your work noticed by influential editors and readers.
- Be part of a growing network of contemporary Indian writers.
- Receive thoughtful, professional feedback — something many contests skip.
- Whether you’re just starting or have a few publications under your belt, this prize is a powerful opportunity.
Submit here: https://deodarprize.in/
Last Date for submission: 31st August 2025
Deadline and submission guidelines are on the website. Make sure to read them closely!
Why It Matters
Named after the enduring Himalayan cedar, the Deodar Prize symbolizes rooted strength and literary growth. In a space where original fiction is often under-supported, the prize stands for serious commitment to Indian writing.
Not only does it celebrate talent — it nurtures it.
So, if you’re working on a powerful short story or have one ready to go — don’t wait. Submit it. Share this with your writer friends, writing groups, and literary communities.
Let’s make Indian fiction the headline it deserves to be.
Need help getting your story ready for The Deodar Prize 2025?
At Keemiya Creatives, we work closely with authors to edit, mentor, and refine their manuscripts — helping you craft a story that truly stands out. Whether you’re polishing a final draft or starting with an idea, our team can guide you every step of the way to submit your story to the Deodar Prize 2025.
Let’s bring your award-winning story to life.
Get in touch with us today!
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