New Delhi : The 53rd edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair opened today at Bharat Mandapam, turning the national capital into a vibrant meeting point for publishers, writers, readers, and cultural institutions from across India and the world.

Scheduled over nine days, the fair brings together more than one thousand publishers from over 35 countries. It was inaugurated by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This year’s theme, Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75, sets the tone for a deeper engagement with India’s defence heritage and historical legacy.

The Theme Pavilion stands out as the centrepiece of the fair, featuring over 500 books focused on military history. More than 100 theme-based discussions, talks, and interactive sessions are planned, offering visitors a chance to explore stories of courage, strategy, and leadership. Beyond the theme, the fair showcases a wide collection of titles in English, Hindi, and several Indian languages, spanning art and culture, history, cinema, biographies, children’s literature, and national heritage.

One of the major highlights this year is the launch of Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, a digital library platform that provides access to around 6,000 free eBooks. The initiative reflects a growing effort to connect traditional reading habits with digital access, making literature more inclusive and widely available.

The fair also features dedicated spaces and programmes such as Author’s Connect, the Yuva Corner, the Child Authors’ Corner, along with cultural performances and interactive activities. Together, these elements reinforce the World Book Fair’s role not just as a marketplace for books, but as a celebration of ideas, creativity, and shared cultural exchange.