Frequently Asked Questions

The Katha National Writers' Workshop is designed to help young writers improve their writing skills, connect with renowned authors, and share their work with a broader audience.

Students from Class IV to XII are eligible to participate in the workshop.

Participants can submit entries in fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.

Class IV to VII: 300 words

Class VIII to XII: 600 words

Young Adults (Age 18-24): 1000 words

The deadline is 30 September 2025

Class IV-VII: Up to 15 Sep - ₹500 From 16 to 30 Sep - ₹750

Class VIII-XII: Up to 15 Sep - ₹700 From 16 to 30 Sep - ₹950

Young Adults (Age 18-24): ₹1000

You can register online at https://utsav.katha.org/register.

Submissions can be in English or Hindi.

Participants will learn from renowned authors, enhance their writing skills, and get the opportunity to share their work with a broader audience.

Registration Deadline: 30 September 2025

Regional Workshops: 1-30 November 2025

National Workshop & Grand Finale : December 2025

Participants will receive guidance from professional writers, poets, and translators to develop and refine their submissions.

Final submissions will be screened by experts who will select the best entries for the Katha Utsav 2025.

Yes, participants will be recognized for their work, and there will be rewards for outstanding submissions.

Yes, participants are allowed to submit more than one entry. However, each entry will be considered a separate entry with the applicable entry fee.

Your submission should include a well-crafted story, essay, or poem within the specified word limit.

The workshop will feature nationally and internationally renowned authors, writers, and storytellers.

Yes, the Katha Utsav will include webinars and online workshops over the next 6 months on various aspects of writing. All participants who have submitted entries and paid the fee will be eligible to attend.

Regional Workshop participants will be notified via email.

You can contact us via email at utsav@katha.org for any queries.

The theme for KATHA Utsav 2025 is "My India, My World"

Yes, schools can register multiple students for the workshop.

Participants will receive guidance and support from experienced mentors throughout the workshop.

Follow us on social media and check our website, https://utsav.katha.org/, for the latest updates.
You can also follow us on WhatsApp.

Yes, you may cancel your application. However, please note that the entry fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Yes, you can write on any topic of your choice.

Submissions should be made ONLY in PDF format and the text in the PDF should be selectable.

Yes, please include your name, class, and school name with the address in the document being uploaded.

Yes, there is a fee for submitting each entry. The amount is INR 750 or INR 950 depending on the grade.

Yes, you can delete and re-upload the story/poem before making the payment.

Yes, since resubmission will be considered a new entry, you will need to pay the submission fees again.

Yes, you will receive a confirmation email upon successful submission and payment.

Yes, you may submit content that is already published on your personal blog.

Katha Utsav offers preparatory workshops to help students enhance their writing skills, but these workshops are not mandatory.

Both regional and national rounds will be offline. The location will be disclosed after Phase 1.

No, attendance at the Zoom workshops is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended for improving writing skills.

No, the title is not included in the word count.

No, if your school has submitted your entry, you don’t need to submit it again through the website.

Yes, you can enhance your writing by attending the preparatory workshops or submitting a new story or poem. The deadline for resubmission is 30 Sep, 2025.

You can pay through your school, and if you do so, you don’t need to make a separate payment on the website.

Yes, parents can register and upload entries for multiple children. However, teachers should use the school registration option.

It is a tiered recognition system to honour schools that show strong commitment to reading, writing, and changemaking by encouraging their students to participate in the Katha National Writers’ Workshop 2025.

There are three levels:

  • Champion Award School – For schools that register 25+ students.
  • Changemaker School – For schools that register 50+ students and have 10+ qualify for the Regionals.
  • Centurion Club – For schools that register 100+ students and have 10+ qualify for the National Finale.
  • Prestige – Gain recognition as a leader in nurturing young writers.
  • Visibility – Your school will be acknowledged in high-profile regional and national forums.
  • Teacher Development – Access exclusive StoryPedagogy® Basics workshops.
  • Library Growth – Receive Katha book hampers for your school library.
  • Legacy – Build a culture of reading and writing that becomes an annual tradition.
  • Champion Award School (25+)
    • Certificate of Recognition
    • 1 online StoryPedagogy® Basics workshop (for 5 teachers)
    • 5 Katha books for the library
    • Mention in regional communications and social media
  • Changemaker School (50+ & 10 Regionals)
    • Certificate of Recognition
    • 1 online StoryPedagogy® Basics workshop (for 10 teachers)
    • 10 Katha books for the library
    • Mention in the official Honour Roll
    • Recognition during regional events and social media
  • Centurion Club (100+ & 10 Finale)
    • All benefits of Changemaker School
    • 2 online StoryPedagogy® Basics workshops (for 10 teachers each)
    • Centurion Club Plaque for school display
    • Mention in National Finale Honour Roll
    • Finalist students called on stage for a group photograph at the Finale
  • Registrations will be tracked via the Katha Utsav portal.
  • Honour Rolls will be published before regional and national events.
  • Certificates, plaques, and book hampers will be delivered directly to schools.
  • Teacher workshops will be scheduled in Jan–March 2026.

No. Recognition is automatic once participation thresholds are met. The Katha team will contact eligible schools.

Yes. Recognition is featured at regional workshops, the National Finale, on Katha’s website, social media, and in the Utsav Report & Anthology.

All participating schools will receive a letter of appreciation. However, formal recognition of Champion Award begins at the 25+ entries level.

Yes. Schools are recognised annually based on current year participation. Moving up levels year after year is encouraged and celebrated.

  • Regionals (1-30 November 2025) – Champion Schools recognised.
  • National Finale (December 2025) – Changemaker Schools and Centurion Clubs recognised and awarded.
  • Annual Publications (Jan 2026) – All recognised schools listed in the Katha Utsav Report & Anthology.