CBSE Budding Authors Programme
by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Story e-published by CBSE
National short-story writing competition for CBSE Class 5 to 10 students, with selected stories e-published as a CBSE anthology.
Mode
Online
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual
Duration
Submission window of approximately four weeks per round
Time needed
Depends on individual research and writing time
Eligibility
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 Stories must be original, unpublished, and submitted in English or Hindi.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.
- Grade level
- Grade 5 to 10
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- 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
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and 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
How to apply
- 1Student writes an original, unpublished short story in English or Hindi within the word limit for their class category
- 2Student submits the story to the school coordinator with principal recommendation
- 3School evaluates entries and uploads shortlisted stories during Round 1
- 4Shortlisted entries are submitted to CBSE for national-level evaluation in Round 2
- 5Selected stories are e-published by CBSE as a class-wise anthology
Rules and guidelines
- Stories must be original and previously unpublished
- Submissions must be made only through the CBSE-affiliated school, not directly by the student
- Entries must adhere to the word limit prescribed for the relevant class category
- Stories may be submitted in English or Hindi
- Plagiarism checks are conducted; plagiarised entries are disqualified
- Submissions are licensed under CC BY 4.0; authors retain copyright while granting CBSE the right to first publish selected works
Technology requirements
- Computer or smartphone with internet access for the school to upload entries via the CBSE portal
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.
Rounds and format
Round 1 is school-level shortlisting, where schools internally evaluate student submissions and upload their best entries. Round 2 is national-level evaluation, where CBSE expert panels assess shortlisted stories and select entries for e-publication.
How entries are judged
Literary merit, originality of the story, language and structure, and overall readability, with plagiarism checks applied to every shortlisted entry.
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.
Academic details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
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