For an industry grappling with mature Western markets, India’s 1.4-billion-strong readership offers one of the planet’s most exciting publishing frontiers.
The 53rd New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) opened on 10 January, expecting over two million visitors across nine days – a figure that will (unless Chennai beats it) confirm its status as India’s second-largest book fair and one of the world’s biggest literary events.
Organised by the National Book Trust, the fair offers free entry for the first time, hosting more than 1,000 publishers from 35 countries and over 600 events.
A Nation of Readers
India’s book market, valued at ₹80,000 crore ($9.3–10 billion) in 2024, represents one of the world’s most dynamic publishing landscapes. With nearly 12,000 publishers releasing 90,000 titles annually in more than 18 languages, the country ranks as the third-largest publishing market globally.
The market’s 19% compound annual growth rate reflects a unique combination of scale – 1.4 billion people – and a deeply entrenched reading culture that spans educational, regional-language, and trade publishing.
The Kolkata Factor
While NDWBF anticipates 2 million visitors, the Kolkata International Book Fair remains India’s largest, drawing 2.7 million visitors in 2025. Kolkata’s 12-day event generated ₹25 crore in sales and outperformed NDWBF in raw attendance, though its focus is primarily non-trade. NDWBF distinguishes itself through robust B2B infrastructure, including the New Delhi Rights Table for translation negotiations and a CEO-only international publishing conference.
Regional Powerhouses
Beyond the metropolitan giants, India’s book fair ecosystem demonstrates remarkable breadth. The Chennai Book Fair attracted two million visitors in 2024 (hence the caveat above), while Hyderabad pulled in 1.6 million as 20205 ended.
The View From The Beach
For publishing professionals, NDWBF 2026 offers unparalleled access to a fragmented but lucrative market. The fair’s B2B arenas facilitate rights exchange, co-publishing deals, and distribution partnerships across India’s multilingual terrain. With educational publishing comprising 71% of the print market and regional languages accounting for 45% of non-textbook sales, international publishers find particular value in local partnerships. The decision to eliminate entry fees is expected to broaden demographic reach, particularly among Gen Z readers.
India’s Gen Z (born ~1997-2012) is a massive demographic of 377 million, meaning India’s Gen Z alone is bigger than the USA’s entire population.
The 2026 edition features Qatar as Guest of Honour and Spain as Focus Country, driving home the fair’s growing diplomatic and trade significance. For an industry grappling with mature Western markets, India’s 1.4-billion-strong readership offers one of the planet’s most exciting publishing frontiers.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
