The New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 which concluded on Jan 18 recorded a massive turnout, as book lovers from all age groups thronged the venue on the final day to grab their favourite titles, take part in cultural programmes and soak in the vibrant literary atmosphere.
Halls buzzed with energy as families, students, young readers and senior citizens moved across stalls, making the most of heavy discounts offered by publishers and booksellers. Exhibitors reported a sharp surge in sales on the concluding day, attributing it to attractive price cuts and the festive weekend mood.
“The sales suddenly went up on the last day. I am happy to share that most of our stock has been cleared. The enthusiasm of young readers proves that the habit of reading books is very much alive,” an exhibitor said, expressing satisfaction over the response.
Visitors echoed similar sentiments. Saloni, a visitor, said she made it a point to attend the fair on its last day. “I didn’t want to miss the opportunity. Since it was the final day, I had to come. Apart from buying my favourite books, I enjoyed the Kavi Sammelan and there was a lot to learn for children at the Bal Mandap. I have also captured many memories here. It’s a fantastic event,” she said.
Yuvraj Malik, Director of National Book Trust, said: “It’s so heartening to see thousands and thousands of people turning up here—around two million in footfall over the last nine days. I think we can proudly say that we have been able to bring people closer to books, literature, art, culture, and festivity around content. The way people are buying books is encouraging; it shows that the reading culture is being revived. It is a myth that the younger generation and Gen Z are stuck to their handsets. After seeing people buying books here, it is clear that they are not too attached to their gadgets. They have a very deep desire to read, and we need to present books to them in a meaningful way and in the right perspective. People are willing to read.”
“We would like to bring more platform for young authors. We are surprised to see hundreds of young authors, first-time authors, school children who are authors. So, we’ll definitely create a children author platform for such upcoming young authors,” added Malik.
The final day witnessed participation in various activities, including book launches, panel discussions and interactive sessions with authors. A special attraction was the Kavi Sammelan organised by the Rekhta Foundation, which drew large crowds and added a poetic flourish to the concluding celebrations.
Book launches and discussions continued
The series of book launches and discussions continued even on the concluding day with the launch of the book The Human Edge in an AI-Driven Cyber World, authored by Nitin Seth, co-founder and CEO of Incedo Inc., a payment platform.
“AI is not just a technological change but a significant evolution in the human journey. Some believe that AI may possibly be humanity’s last major invention, but I am optimistic about the future. Undoubtedly, AI has significantly affected jobs, but I see it as a transformer that is opening new avenues for entrepreneurship. We should see it as an opportunity,” said Seth.
The event brought together over 50 countries, with Qatar participating as the Guest of Honour and Spain designated as the Focus Country, highlighting strong cross-cultural engagement. Spread across Halls 2 to 6, nearly 3,000 stalls were set up by more than 1,000 publishers from India and overseas. The fair celebrated linguistic diversity by presenting books in over 30 languages, including Hindi, English, and a wide range of Indian regional languages recognised under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Complementing the physical exhibition, the digital library initiative, Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, expanded access to literature by offering more than 6,000 eBooks in over 23 languages, while international pavilions showcased works in languages such as Arabic, Spanish, Russian, French, and Japanese.
Children-centric activities at the Bal Mandap continued to engage young minds through storytelling sessions, creative workshops and learning-based programmes, making the fair a family-friendly destination even on its last day.
