For Yuva Puraskar 2018, Sahitya Akademi is inviting books from publishers and young Indian authors of the age of 35 and below in all the 24 languages recognized by the Akademi. The applicant author should be 35 or below on 1st January 2017.
Sahitya Akademi introduced Yuva Puraskar in 2011 to encourage young writers writing in Indian languages and who are below the age of 35. Since then every year awards have been given to the best book by young Indian authors in the Indian languages recognized by the Akademi, viz., Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Santali, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.
These awards are presented at a prestigious ceremony and comprise an amount of Rs. 50,000/-, a plaque and a citation.
List of Yuva Puraskar Winners:
| YEAR | BOOK | AUTHOR |
| ASSAMESE | ||
| 2017 | Xodhahe Nohol Tok o Bokul (Poetry) | Pratim Baruah |
| 2016 | Zantadhari (Novel) | Prarthana Saikia |
| 2015 | Akale Aso Kushale Aso (Poetry) | Mridul Haloi |
| 2014 | Jahar–Mahar (Short Stories) | Manika Devee |
| 2013 | Ashokastami (Poetry) | Bijoy Sankar Barman |
| 2012 | Marangburu Amar Pita (Poetry) | Kamal Kumar Tanti |
| 2011 | Anusilon (Essays) | Arindam Borkataki |
| BENGALI | ||
| 2017 | Elvis O Amolasundari (Short Stories) | Shamik Ghosh |
| 2016 | Aparanha Downtown (Poetry) | Raka Dasgupta |
| 2015 | Premer Size Battirish (Poetry) | Sudip Chakraborty |
| 2014 | Mati (Earth) (Poetry) | Abhimanyu Mahato |
| 2013 | Bouddho Lekhomala O Onyanyo Shraman (Poetry) | Subhro Bandopadhyay |
| 2012 | Sammohan (Short Stories) | Sadique Hossain |
| 2011 | Danaowla Manus (Short Stories) | Binod Ghosal |
| BODO | ||
| 2017 | Gwrbwni Aroj (Poetry) | Bijit Gwra Ramchiary |
| 2016 | Khamflongnai Bubli (Poetry) | Bijit Gayari |
| 2015 | Khwmsi Harni Alari (Short Stories) | Leben Lal Mwshahary |
| 2014 | Thwinikhruibw Gwjasin Nwngni Gaba (Poetry) | Shanti Basumatary |
| 2013 | Felengni Saogari (Novel) | Sansumwi Khungri Basumatary |
| 2012 | Mijingao Swmkhe Jwmwi (Novel) | Diganta Lawary |
| 2011 | Jeu Saharani Beduin | Jaishree Baro |
| DOGRI | ||
| 2017 | Tere Hirke Ch (Poetry) | Rajinder Ranjha |
| 2016 | Kule Bhav (Poetry) | Brham Dutt Magotra |
| 2015 | Mustakbil (Poetry) | Sandeep ‘Sufi’ |
| 2014 | NO AWARD | |
| 2013 | Rough Copy (Poetry) | Dheeraj Kesar ‘Nikka’ |
| 2012 | Do Kandhe (Poetry) | Yash Raina |
| 2011 | NO AWARD | |
| ENGLISH | ||
| 2017 | The Ivory Throne (Biography) | Manu S. Pillai |
| 2016 | Farthest Field An Indian Story Of The Second World War (Biography) | Raghu Karnad |
| 2015 | The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey (Novel) | Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar |
| 2014 | Windhorse (Novel) | Kaushik Barua |
| 2013 | Boats On Land (Short Stories) | Janice Pariat |
| 2012 | A Free Man (Non-Fiction) | Aman Sethi |
| 2011 | ‘My Name Is Gauhar Jaan!’–The Life And Times of A Musician (Biography) | Vikram Sampath |
| GUJARATI | ||
| 2017 | Mahotu (Short Stories) | Ram Mori |
| 2016 | Ghazalpurvak (Poetry) | Ankit Trivedi |
| 2015 | Malo (Short Stories) | Rajesh Vankar |
| 2014 | Savaar Laine (Poetry) | Anil Chavda |
| 2013 | Dalkhithi Saav Chhutan (Poetry) | Ashok Chavda ‘Bedil’ |
| 2012 | Pashyantini Pele Paar (Poetry) | Jatush Joshi |
| 2011 | Antim Yuddha (Play) | Dhwanil Parekh |
| HINDI | ||
| 2017 | Aksharo Ki Vinti (Poetry) | Taro Sindik |
| 2016 | Dark Horse – Ek Anakahi Dastan (Novel) | Nilotpal Mrinal |
| 2015 | Haveli Sanatanpur (Novel) | Indira Dangi |
| 2014 | Barish Mera Ghar Hai (Poetry) | Kumar Anupam |
| 2013 | Kucch Boodhi Udaas Auratein (Poetry) | Archana Bhensare |
| 2012 | Aadigram Upakhyan (Novel) | Kunal Singh |
| 2011 | Kahte Hain Tab Shanshaah So Rahe The (Poetry) | Uma Shankar Choudhary |
| KANNADA | ||
| 2017 | Manasu Abhisaarike (Short Stories) | Shanthi K. Appanna |
| 2016 | Zero Mathu Ondu (Short Stories) | Vikrama Hatwara |
| 2015 | Mayakolahala (Short Stories) | Mounesh Badiger |
| 2014 | Dhyanake Thaareekhina Hangilla (Poetry) | Kavya Kadame |
| 2013 | Batavadeyagada Raseethi (Poetry) | Lakkur Ananda |
| 2012 | Jangama Fakeerana Jolige (Poetry) | Arif Raja |
| 2011 | Nelada Karuneya Dani (Poetry) | Veeranna Madiwalara |
| KASHMIRI | ||
| 2017 | Zard Panike Dair (Poetry) | Nighat Sahiba |
| 2016 | Zol Dith Sadras (Criticism) | Aadil Mohi-ud-din |
| 2015 | NO AWARD | |
| 2014 | NO AWARD | |
| 2013 | Vola Kael Ravay (Poetry) | Saba Shaheen |
| 2012 | Gashe Malar (Literary Criticism) | Farooq Shaheen |
| 2011 | Patte Leji Zoon Daras (Poetry) | Nisar Azam |
| KONKANI | ||
| 2017 | Mog Dot Com (Poetry) | Amey Vishram Naik |
| 2016 | Sulus (Poetry) | Anwesha Arun Singbal |
| 2015 | Khany Geli Aaji (Poetry) | Shrinisha Nayak |
| 2014 | Gauman (Short Stories) | Naresh Chandra Naik |
| 2013 | Matyentle Gandh (Poetry) | Yogini Borkar |
| 2012 | Muktamann (Essays) | Naman Dhawasker Sawant |
| 2011 | Nirnay (Short Stories) | Jofa Gonsalves |
| MAITHILI | ||
| 2017 | Dhartis Akash Dhari (Poetry) | Chandan Kumar Jha |
| 2016 | Je Kahi Nahi Saklahun (Poetry) | Deep Narayan ‘Vidyarthi’ |
| 2015 | Pratiwadi Ham (Poetry) | Narayan Jha |
| 2014 | Visdanti Varmal Kalak Rati (Poetry) | Praveen Kashyap |
| 2013 | Ankura Rahal Sangharsh (Poetry) | Dilip Kumar Jha ‘Lootan’ |
| 2012 | Etbe Taa Naih (Poetry) | Arunabh Saurabh |
| 2011 | Hathat Parivartan (Play) | Anand Kumar Jha |
| MALAYALAM | ||
| 2017 | Josephinte Manam (Short Stories) | Aswathy Sasikumar |
| 2016 | Uppumazhayile Pachilakal (Short Stories) | Surya Gopi |
| 2015 | Thonniyapoloru Puzha (Poetry) | Aryambika |
| 2014 | Chumbanasabdatharavali (Short Stories) | Indu Menon |
| 2013 | Vellarippadam (Short Stories) | P.V. Shajikumar |
| 2012 | Parasparam (Poetry) | Lopa R. |
| 2011 | Marana Vidyalayam (Short Stories) | Susmesh Chandroth |
| MANIPURI | ||
| 2017 | Kellaba Unagi Ishei (Poetry) | Kh. Krishnamohan Singha |
| 2016 | Torbanduda (Novel) | Chongtham Dipu Singh |
| 2015 | Mee Amasung Shaa (Poetry) | Angom Sarita Devi |
| 2014 | Ngayonba Asheiba (Poetry) | Wangthoi Khuman |
| 2013 | Lai Matha Shaari (Poetry) | Akhom Yandibala Devi |
| 2012 | Shingnabagi Ka Amasung Dairy Gimapu (Short Stories) | Ranjita Konthoujam |
| 2011 | Nongthangna Mutkhrabada | Devchand |
| MARATHI | ||
| 2017 | Ubha – Aadava (Essays) | Rahul Kosambi |
| 2016 | Blogchya Aarshapalyad (Short Stories) | Manaswani Lata Ravindra |
| 2015 | Sen Saai Ves (Poetry) | Veera Rathod |
| 2014 | Svatahala Faltu Samajnyachi Goshta (Novel) | Avadhoot Dongre |
| 2013 | Dhoosar Zale Nasate Gav (Poetry) | Ravi Korde |
| 2012 | Pani – Charo, Aaro Ityadi… (Play) | Dharmakirti Sumant |
| 2011 | Bhuishastra (Poetry) | Aishwarya Patekar |
| NEPALI | ||
| 2017 | Mooldharatira (Poetry) | Sarang Muskan |
| 2016 | Sancho Jastai Kathaharu (Short Stories) | Sanjeev Chhetri |
| 2015 | Kriti-Kirti (Literary Criticism) | Sapan Pradhan |
| 2014 | Paitalataltira (Poetry) | Tika ‘Bhai’ |
| 2013 | Ghar (Short Stories) | Suraj Dhadkan |
| 2012 | Ghauka Rang Haru (Poetry) | Manoj Bogati |
| 2011 | Srijana Ra Abhista | Kamal Regmi |
| ODIA | ||
| 2017 | E Sampark Emiti (Poetry) | Suryasnata Tripathy |
| 2016 | Daaga (Poetry) | Jnanee Debasish Mishra |
| 2015 | Manasanka (Short Stories) | Sujit Kumar Panda |
| 2014 | Pidaparba (Poetry) | Narendra Kumar Bhoi |
| 2013 | Dadan (Short Stories) | Kshetrabasi Naik |
| 2012 | Bhirna Upabana (Short Stories) | Srushthishree Naik |
| 2011 | Gaan (Poetry) | Gayatribala Panda |
| PUNJABI | ||
| 2017 | Rani Tatt (Poetry) | Harman |
| 2016 | Pani Utte Meenakari (Poetry) | Ranjit Saranwali |
| 2015 | Aas Aje Bani Hai (Short Stories) | Simran Dhaliwal |
| 2014 | Ikalla Nahin Hunda Banda (Poetry) | Gagan Deep Sharma |
| 2013 | Toon Mainu Sirlekh De (Poetry) | Harpreet Kaur |
| 2012 | Teevian (Novel) | Pargat Singh Satauj |
| 2011 | Amrit Vela (Poetry) | Paramveer Singh |
| RAJASTHANI | ||
| 2017 | Lebel (Short Stories) | Ummed Dhaniya |
| 2016 | Rankhaar (Poetry) | Jitendra Kumar Soni |
| 2015 | Sapna Sanjovati Heeran (Poetry) | Ritupriya |
| 2014 | Chal Bhatooliya Ret Rama (Poetry) | Raju Ram Bijarniyan ‘Raj’ |
| 2013 | Sanjeevanee (Poetry) | Kumar Ajay |
| 2012 | Jad Bi Mandaban Baithun Chun Kavita (Poetry) | Om Nagar |
| 2011 | Peer (Short Stories) | Dula Ram Saharan |
| SANSKRIT | ||
| 2017 | Parivartankavyam (Poetry) | Hemchandra Belwal |
| 2016 | Vanavaibhavam (Poetry) | Bharat Bhusan Rath |
| 2015 | Samudre Buddhasya Netre (Poetry) | Rushiraj Jani |
| 2014 | Samparkah (Short Stories) | Paramba Shree Yogamaya |
| 2013 | Bharatabusanam (Poetry) | Raj Kumar Mishra |
| 2012 | Udbahuvamanta (Poetry) | Pravin Pandya |
| 2011 | Kavyakaveri | Paramanand Jha |
| SANTALI | ||
| 2017 | Marsal Dahar (Poetry) | Maina Tudu |
| 2016 | Dhunwa Otang Ag Kana (Poetry) | Parimal Hansdah |
| 2015 | Bera Ahla (Poetry) | Suchitra Hansda |
| 2014 | Namal (Poetry) | Anpa Marndi |
| 2013 | Terang (Short Stories) | Lalchand Saren |
| 2012 | Jala Dak (Poetry) | Shyam Charan Tudu |
| 2011 | Jagron | Satilal Murmu |
| SINDHI | ||
| 2017 | Usaat (Poetry) | Rekha Sachdev Pohani |
| 2016 | Retilo Chitu (Poetry) | Bharti Sadarangani |
| 2015 | Pinjraa (Poetry) | Manoj Chawla ‘Tanha’ |
| 2014 | NO AWARD | |
| 2013 | NO AWARD | |
| 2012 | NO AWARD | |
| 2011 | NO AWARD | |
| TAMIL | ||
| 2017 | Aathik Kathalin Ninaiuv Kurippukal (Poetry) | J. Jayabharathi (Manushi) |
| 2016 | Kaanakan (Novel) | Lakshmi Saravana Kumar |
| 2015 | Parukkai (Novel) | Veerapandiyan |
| 2014 | Kaalkal (Novel) | R. Abilash |
| 2013 | Messiyavukku Moondru Machangal (Poetry) | Kathir Bharathi |
| 2012 | Thooppukkari (Novel) | Malarvathi (E. Mary Flora) |
| 2011 | Sevalkattu (Novel) | M. Thavasi |
| TELUGU | ||
| 2017 | Maatala Madugu (Poetry) | Mercy Margaret |
| 2016 | Chittagang Viplava Vanitalu (Short Stories) | Chaithanya Pingali |
| 2015 | Out of Coverage Area (Short Stories) | Pasunoori Ravinder |
| 2014 | Seema Sahiti Swaram Sri Sadhana Patrika (Essays) | Appireddy Harinath Reddy |
| 2013 | Pravahinche Padalu and Other Poems (Poetry) | Manthri Krishna Mohan |
| 2012 | Jumma (Short Stories) | Vempalli Sharaff |
| 2011 | Molokalapunnami (Short Stories) | Vempalli Gangadhar |
| URDU | ||
| 2017 | Maulana Mohammed Husain Azad Aur Unka Shairi Safar (Biography) | Rasheed Ashraf Khan |
| 2016 | Nagri Nagri Phira Musafir Devendra Satyarthi: Shakhsiyat Aur Aasaar (Literary Criticism) | Abdus Sami |
| 2015 | Naqsh-E-Pa Hawaon Ke (Poetry) | Ameer Imam |
| 2014 | Chikne Paat (Poetry) | Iltefat Amjadi |
| 2013 | Takhleeq Takheel Aur Isteara (Literary Criticism) | Moid Rasheedi |
| 2012 | Mani-E-Mazmoon (Essays) | Ghazanfar Iqbal |
| 2011 | Dhund Mein Amaan | Vishal Khullar |