PM-YUVA 3.0 Boosts Young Authors Nationwide

Why in the News?

The results of PM-YUVA 3.0 (Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors) have been announced, with 43 young authors selected through an All-India contest, reinforcing the government’s push to nurture youth creativity and India’s multilingual literary ecosystem. This initiative also aims to promote awareness about environmental clearances and pollution free environments through literature.

Key Highlights of PM-YUVA 3.0 Selection:

• 43 young authors, all below 30 years of age, have been selected under PM-YUVA 3.0, with some focusing on themes related to environmental impact assessments.
• The selection was conducted through an All-India contest, ensuring merit-based and inclusive participation, including topics on ex post facto environmental clearances.
• Authors were chosen across 22 Indian languages and English, reflecting India’s linguistic diversity and promoting awareness about the forest conservation act.
• Of the selected authors, 19 are women and 24 are men, promoting gender representation and diverse perspectives on environmental jurisprudence.
• The scheme is implemented by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education, encouraging writing on topics like the coastal regulation zone.
• Selected book proposals will be developed into full-length books through a six-month mentorship programme, potentially covering subjects like the polluter pays principle.
• Eminent scholars and experts will mentor young authors, ensuring quality writing and research depth on topics including environmental democracy.

Objectives, Benefits and Thematic Focus

• PM-YUVA 3.0 aims to encourage young writers to contribute to nation-building through literature, including works on environmental clearances and EIA notifications.
• Each selected author will receive a monthly scholarship of ₹50,000 during the mentorship period, promoting research on topics like ex-post facto environmental clearances.
• Authors will also get a lifetime royalty of 10% on the published books, incentivizing writing on subjects such as the precautionary principle in environmental protection.
• The scheme promotes inclusive literary development by encouraging writing in regional and Indian languages, including works on environmental jurisprudence.
• Key themes include Indian diaspora’s contribution to nation-building, Indian Knowledge Systems, and Makers of Modern India (1950–2025), with potential focus on environmental democracy.
• The focus on contemporary and historical themes helps bridge tradition with modern national narratives, including discussions on the Vanashakti judgment.
• The initiative seeks to build a pipeline of professional writers for the future, capable of addressing complex issues like retrospective environmental clearances.