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CBSE Budding Authors Programme
by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Story e-published by CBSE
Mode
Online
Eligibility
Class 5–10
Fee
Free
Duration
Submission window of approximately four weeks per round
Format
Individual
Time needed
Several hours of writing and revision per submission
Dates to be announced
About This Opportunity
The CBSE Budding Authors Programme is a national short-story writing competition organised by the Central Board of Secondary Education under its Reading Mission, inviting students from CBSE-affiliated schools to submit original, unpublished short stories in English or Hindi on any theme, style, or genre.
The programme is open to students of Class 5 to Class 10, grouped into three class-level categories with distinct word limits. Submissions are evaluated by a panel of subject experts on literary merit, originality, language, and readability, with plagiarism checks and principal recommendations forming part of the school-level filter.
The competition is conducted in two rounds each academic session. In the first round, schools shortlist their best entries internally; in the second round, shortlisted stories are submitted nationally for expert evaluation. Stories selected at the national level are e-published by CBSE as a curated collection of short stories for each class-level category.
Every student whose story is e-published receives an online certificate of participation. The programme operates without any registration fee and is part of CBSE's broader effort to nurture young writers, build a reading and writing culture in schools, and provide a national publication platform for student authors.
Eligibility
- Grade Level
- Class 5–10
- Age Range
- 10 - 16 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Currently studying in Class 5 to Class 10 in a CBSE-affiliated school
Prerequisites
- Enrolled in a CBSE-affiliated school
- Original short story prepared in English or Hindi within the prescribed word limit
Additional requirements
- Story must be original and unpublished
- Submission routed through the CBSE-affiliated school, not directly by the student
- Principal recommendation required for shortlisted entries
Open to students of Class 5 to Class 10 in CBSE-affiliated schools across India. Entries are grouped into three class-level categories with distinct word limits. Stories must be original, unpublished, and submitted in English or Hindi. Submission is through the school, not directly by the student.
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Academic Details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
Rewards & Recognition
Certificate
CBSE e-certificate of participation
Students whose stories are e-published receive an online certificate of participation from CBSE.
Recognition
National publication by CBSE
Skills your child builds
Highlights
- Stories accepted in English or Hindi on any theme or genre
- Selected entries e-published by CBSE as a curated anthology per class category
- Submissions licensed under CC BY 4.0 with authors retaining copyright
- Three class-level categories with distinct word limits (Class 5-6, 7-8, 9-10)
Selection process
Schools shortlist their best entries per class category in Round 1. CBSE's expert panel then selects stories for e-publication from the shortlisted pool in Round 2.
How to apply
- 1School registers on the CBSE Budding Authors portal at cbseit.in/cbse/2025/bauthor
- 2Student writes an original, unpublished short story in English or Hindi within the word limit for their class category
- 3Student submits the story to the school coordinator with principal recommendation
- 4School evaluates entries and uploads shortlisted stories during Round 1
- 5Shortlisted entries are submitted to CBSE for national-level evaluation in Round 2
- 6Selected stories are e-published by CBSE as a class-wise anthology
Fees & financial support
Fee details
No participation fee. Registration and submission are routed through CBSE-affiliated schools at no cost to students.
Frequently asked questions
Is CBSE Budding Authors Programme free?
This opportunity is free to participate in.
Who can participate in CBSE Budding Authors Programme?
Students in Class 5–10. children aged 10-16.
What will my child gain from CBSE Budding Authors Programme?
Selected stories e-published by CBSE as a national anthology by class category. Online certificate of participation for every student whose story is e-published. National-level recognition for young writers from CBSE-affiliated schools. Platform to write and submit in English or Hindi on any theme or genre. Authors retain copyright under CC BY 4.0 while CBSE publishes selected works first. Free participation with no registration fee.
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