The Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) University has decided to introduce the ‘SOA Young Literary Award’ from this year. The primary objective of this award is to honour and recognize promising young writers in Odia literature. Writers and authors below the age of 40 will be considered, and creative works in poetry, fiction, drama, and literary criticism will be eligible for recognition. The award carries a cash prize of ₹1,00,000, along with an uttariya (ceremonial cloth) and a citation.

Original and outstanding books published in the last five years (2020–2024) will be considered. Writers aged 40 years or below as of January 1, 2025, are eligible to apply. Applications can be submitted either by the author or the publisher, but they must include two copies of the book, a brief bio of the author, and a self-attested proof of date of birth (Aadhaar card, passport, driving license, or voter ID). If submitted by the publisher, an affidavit confirming the author’s age must also be included.

Interested applicants are requested to send their entries by October 7, 2025, to “Professor & Head, Ancient, J-15, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar-30, Odisha.”