These FAQs are designed to serve as a companion to the submissions document. They are incomprehensive and should not be considered as a final guide to submissions.
The awards are open to all Indian citizens (regardless of country of residence) and those residing elsewhere holding an OCI card or any other official evidence that verifies that their country of origin is India.
If the content is queer and if the areas covered about gender are related to sexuality and the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, then it does qualify for consideration. The jury’s decision, however, will be final and binding.
Literature:
Fiction – this includes novels, graphic novels and collections of short stories (by a single author)
Non-Fiction – this includes memoirs, biographies, history and anything that doesn’t fall under Fiction, excluding poetry
Book Cover:
The books can be fiction or non-fiction
Journalism:
Feature
Op-Ed
Yes, for both literature and journalism. Even submissions for book covers should be of English books.
Translations (into English) will be accepted so long as the original content was written in an official Indian language.
Entries for the awards will be open between June 1, 2026, and July 31, 2026.
The period under consideration is work published between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026 (both days included).
For the literature awards:
Publishers may submit two entries under each category (i.e. two books for fiction; and two books for non-fiction).
Self-published authors may submit one entry, which must have an ISBN.
For the journalism awards:
Digital and print media organisations may submit two entries. (i.e. two articles per organisation, maximum).
Freelance journalists may submit two entries.
(Please note that digital platforms that are focused on platforming views/opinions also qualify as media organisations for the sake of these awards).
Please consult our submissions process for the full details on making submissions for all categories : literature, book cover and journalism awards. The information is available on this website under the Process tab.
A prestigious eleven-member jury has been selected to consider submissions. More information on jury-members is available on our website and social media handles.
The jury will release a shortlist in the month of December. The final winners will be announced in an award ceremony at the Rainbow Lit Fest – Queer & Inclusive in New Delhi on the 6th and 7th of February 2027. We suggest you follow our social media handles and websites to get updates on the same.
Winners will receive a citation, a cash prize and will be acknowledged on our social media handles, in press dispatches and at the Award’s ceremony.
Those shortlisted will have to make their own arrangements. If you choose to be present, and we are intimated early enough, the shortlisted writers and artists, will be provided full access to the Rainbow Lit Fest – Queer & Inclusive.
You could email us at contact@therainbowawards.in
The full details of the submission process and requirements are to be found on this website. These FAQs are not meant to be a final guide, and the full guide should be read carefully and fully before any submissions are made.