The participant is allowed to submit original works that have not formerly been published or exhibited before the competition submission deadline. The participants themselves should write the piece of writing, which should not be plagiarized. Any submissions violating these terms shall be disqualified from the competition.
Creative Writing Contest
Season 9
Your words matter. Share them with us.
Whether you write poems, stories, essays, or any other form of creative writing, this contest is for you.
Open to all writers across India, Season 9 brings a total prize pool of ₹1,50,000. The best entries will be published.
Every writer starts somewhere. Begin your journey with us.
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Participate & Receive
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
on each valid submission, awarded by the selection committee of IWP.
WHY choose IWP?
WINNERS & REWARDS
Grand Winners
GRAND WINNER
₹ 51,000
- Publication in National Media
- Feature on IWP's Website
- Feature on Social Media Handles
- Winner Certificate
2nd POSITION
₹ 31,000
- Publication in National Media
- Feature on IWP's Website
- Feature on Social Media Handles
- Winner Certificate
3rd POSITION
₹ 21,000
- Publication in National Media
- Feature on IWP's Website
- Feature on Social Media Handles
- Winner Certificate
Category Awards
*All category award winners are also eligible to win the grand prize.
BEST POETRY
₹ 5,000
- Feature on IWP's Website
- Feature on Social Media Handles
- Winner Certificate
BEST FICTION
₹ 5,000
- Feature on IWP's Website
- Feature on Social Media Handles
- Winner Certificate
BEST NON-FICTION
₹ 5,000
- Feature on IWP's Website
- Feature on Social Media Handles
- Winner Certificate
BEST ARTICLE/ESSAY
₹ 5,000
- Feature on IWP's Website
- Feature on Social Media Handles
- Winner Certificate
BEST PERSONAL EXPRESSION
₹ 5,000
- Feature on IWP's Website
- Feature on Social Media Handles
- Winner Certificate
Editor's Choice
10 EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARDS
₹ 1000
each
- Feature on IWP's Website
- Feature on Social Media Handles
- Winner Certificate
CONTEST RULES
- Language: Entries must be written in English
- Word Limit: Minimum 50 words, Maximum 1,500 words
- Theme/Topic: Write on any theme or subject that inspires you—let your creativity take the wheel!
- Format: This is a fully online competition
- Deadline: Submit your entry by 10 Deceember 2025, 11:59 PM IST
- Eligibility: Indian citizens and global Indian community
- Authenticity: Your original work only, no AI-generated/plaigarised content
- What to Write: Essays, poems, articles, or short stories on ANY topic, any style, any genre
- Age Limit: No age restriction, talent doesn’t distinguish between ages!
- Entries: Submit as many entries as you’d like (one piece per entry)
- Your Rights: You retain 100% of your rights, we never share without permission
PARTICIPANTS IN MEDIA
EDTimes – India Writing Project Season 2: Honoring the Timeless Nostalgia Captured in “The Childhood” by Pallavi Krishna Kasala
TheTelegraph – India Writing Project Season 3, Grand Winner: Arfa Arshad’s “The Last Killing”
EDTimes – Non-Appétit’: A Captivating Entry from India Writing Project’s 4th Season
Mid-Day – A Glimpse into the Heart of Imagination: Ruthie Paul’s “The Visitor” from India Writing Project
TheTribune – Echoes of Identity: ‘Dua’ Shines in the India Writing Project
ThePrint – Journey of a Young Wordsmith: Maahi Sonpatki’s Success in India Writing Project
PARTICIPANT REVIEWS
WHY choose IWP?
PARTICIPATE NOW
Hone Your Craft
IWP provides an ideal environment for you to refine your writing skills. By offering writing prompts and exposure to diverse writing styles, we'll guide you on your path to becoming a better wordsmith.
Spotlight on Talent
This is your stage! IWP's creative writing quest is a golden opportunity to showcase your creativity to an extensive audience, elevating your work from your desk to the limelight. Who knows? Literary agents or publishers could be your next fans!
Prize-Winning Words
Here at the India Writing Project, we honor your talent with an array of rewards, including enticing cash prizes and publishing opportunities. It’s not just a competition; it's an investment in your literary journey.
Craft Your Portfolio
This isn't a fleeting event; it's a stepping stone towards building an impressive portfolio. It's a chance to create new literary masterpieces and gather the confidence to seize other writing opportunities that come your way.
Forge Literary Bonds
Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for the written word. Engage in thoughtful exchanges, gather inspiration, and create a nurturing writer's community that fuels your creativity.
Dare to Excel
IWP is more than a competition; it's a personal challenge. Dare to stretch your creative muscles, delve into unknown genres, and pit your skills against other gifted writers. This quest will nurture your distinctive voice and style, aiding your growth in the literary world.
FAQ's
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Maybe this will help.
You can submit essays, poems, articles, or short stories written on ANY topic or subject as preferred by them. There is no restriction on the same. Submissions can be written in any style and from any genre as preferred by the writer
It is a limited-slot program, and registrations will close once the slots have been filled. Thereby, there will be no last date to register.
The last day to submit is 10 December 2025, 11:59 PM IST; the results will be announced on December 28, 2025.
There is no age restriction to entering the competition. Talent doesn’t distinguish between ages, so why should we?
You can submit as many entries as you’d like!
You retain 100% of your rights—none are transferred to us. We never share your work without your explicit permission, and everything is stored securely in an encrypted database.
No, each entry must contain only one piece of work. Submitting more than one or splitting a single piece into multiple entries will result in disqualification.
You can choose multiple entries during registration.
Head over to my.indiawritingproject.com, log in with your registered email, and follow the steps to set up your profile and submit your entry.
If you’ve participated in IWP Season 7 or IWP Junior Season 1, your profile is already good to go—just log in and submit! 🚀
The fee for your first entry is ₹599, and each additional entry is at the same price—submit as many as you like! This fee includes an evaluation, a certificate of appreciation, and a grade card for your entry.
No separate registration fee: You’re automatically registered once you pay for your first entry.
Yes, the word limit is a minimum of 50 words and a maximum of 1,500 words.
You can email us at [email protected] or reach out via call at 766-999-1724.
Join India’s top stage for online Poetry and Creative Writing competitions! We reward your brilliance with cash prizes, certificates, and media publications.
Let your words win!
