The Delhi Shabdotsav 2026 opened on 2 January at the National Stadium in New Delhi with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta scheduled to inaugurate the three-day literary festival. Organisers say the event will highlight India’s cultural and ideological discourse while showcasing a broad programme of authors, policy figures and artists.
Delhi Shabdotsav 2026 programme and speakers
Running until 4 January, the festival brings together more than 100 prominent speakers and will feature over 40 book releases, six cultural performances and two poets’ meets. Among the high-profile participants is National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, reflecting the festival’s combination of literary debate and national policy discussion.
Festival organisers describe the Shabdotsav as a platform for conversations on culture, literature and contemporary ideas. Several sessions are expected to address ideological questions facing the country and the role of literature in public debate.
On Thursday, cabinet minister Kapil Mishra wrote on X that the event constituted a “surgical strike against ideological terrorism”, signalling the political tone of some sessions and underlining the festival’s appeal to conservative and security-oriented voices.
Inaugural address and government agenda
In a video message extending New Year wishes to the capital, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta outlined several achievements of her administration in 2025 and set out priorities for 2026. She noted that treatment up to lakh under the Ayushman scheme was made free for residents, and pointed to the Atal Canteen initiative where a full meal is available for .
Gupta also said her government had approved a number of infrastructure schemes and worked to improve the city’s Ease of Doing Business. On the environment, she addressed persistent air quality problems and listed actions taken during the past year.
Among the measures she cited were efforts to curb stubble burning in the capital’s vicinity and the commissioning of Delhi’s first biogas plant. The chief minister said work had begun on comprehensive road carpeting and that new machinery had been deployed to improve cleaning operations across the city.
Environmental and waste management priorities
Gupta said the administration has started planning a plant to process e-waste and pledged to remove mountains of garbage from different parts of the city. She described 2025 as a year of preparatory work and said 2026 would focus on scaling up projects and addressing legacy problems.
Organisers expect the Shabdotsav to generate lively debate across its panels and stage events that combine literary appreciation with policy discussion. The festival runs through 4 January at the National Stadium and will present an array of speakers and cultural events aimed at engaging a broad public audience.
For visitors, the Shabdotsav offers a mix of book launches, discussions and performances, reflecting the capital’s role as both a cultural centre and a forum for national issues.
Key Takeaways:
- Delhi Shabdotsav 2026 opens at the National Stadium with CM Rekha Gupta set to inaugurate the festival.
- The festival will host over 100 speakers, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and more than 40 book launches.
- Cabinet minister Kapil Mishra described the event as a “surgical strike” against ideological extremism, highlighting its ideological focus.
- CM Gupta reiterated policy achievements from 2025 and outlined environmental and social measures planned for 2026.
