Rashtriya Kavya Utsav 2026: MoE Invites Class 9–12 Students to Showcase Poetry Talent

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has invited students studying in Classes 9 to 12 to participate in the Rashtriya Kavya Utsav 2026, a nationwide poetry recitation competition that aims to promote reading, literature, and public speaking among school students. The initiative gives young learners an opportunity to showcase their poetry recitation skills on a national platform while encouraging them to develop a deeper interest in Indian literature and languages.

The competition is being organised through Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya (ReP), the Government of India’s free digital library platform. Students from schools across the country can take part in the event without paying any registration fee. The Ministry has urged eligible students to submit their entries before the closing date and make the most of this unique opportunity to display their literary talent.

Registration Open Till July 31

According to the official announcement, registrations and submission of entries for Rashtriya Kavya Utsav 2026 are open from June 1 to July 31, 2026. Students interested in participating should complete the registration process within the given timeline to ensure their entries are considered.

The competition is open only to students studying in Classes 9, 10, 11, and 12 in recognised schools across India. The Ministry has encouraged schools, teachers, and parents to motivate students to participate in this national literary celebration.

Aim of Rashtriya Kavya Utsav

The Rashtriya Kavya Utsav has been launched to promote reading habits and encourage appreciation for poetry among school students. The competition also focuses on improving communication skills, confidence, and creative expression.

By participating in the event, students get an opportunity to explore poems available through the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya platform and present them through expressive recitation. The competition is expected to strengthen students’ interest in Indian literature while helping them improve pronunciation, voice modulation, and stage confidence.

How Students Can Participate

Students who wish to participate must first register on the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya portal. Registration is completely free.

During registration, candidates need to provide basic details such as:

• Full name
• Mobile number or email address
• Date of birth
• Password for account creation

After successful verification, students can log in to the portal and access the participation guidelines. They are advised to carefully read all instructions before preparing and uploading their poetry recitation entry.

Poetry Selection and Video Submission

Participants are required to select a poem from the list available on the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya platform. After selecting a poem, students need to record a video of themselves reciting it.

As per the official guidelines, the poetry recitation video should generally be between 60 and 90 seconds in duration. Once the recording is complete, students can upload their videos through the designated online platform before the submission deadline.

Students should ensure that the video is clear, audible, and follows all the technical instructions mentioned in the official participation guide.

Free Participation for All Eligible Students

One of the biggest highlights of the competition is that there is no registration fee. Every eligible student from Classes 9 to 12 can participate without any financial burden.

This makes the event accessible to students from different regions and educational backgrounds, allowing talented young readers from across the country to showcase their abilities on a national stage.

Rewards for Winners

The Ministry of Education has announced several recognitions for the winners of Rashtriya Kavya Utsav 2026.

Selected winners will receive:

• Digital Certificate of Excellence jointly issued by Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, National Book Trust, and the Ministry of Education.
• Recognition on the official social media platforms of the organisers.
• Opportunity to have their winning entries showcased on Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya digital platforms, providing nationwide visibility.

These recognitions are expected to encourage students to actively participate and improve their literary and speaking skills.

Participation Certificate for Every Student

Apart from awards for winners, every student who successfully submits an eligible entry will receive a Digital Participation Certificate.

This ensures that all participants are recognised for their efforts and involvement in the national literary initiative, even if they are not among the final winners.

Role of Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya

The Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya serves as the digital platform for conducting the competition. It is a government-supported digital library that offers free access to thousands of books for students.

The platform contains:

• Poetry collections
• Story books
• Picture books
• Comics
• Audiobooks
• Educational reading material

The content is available in English and more than 20 Indian languages, making it useful for students from different linguistic backgrounds.

Benefits for Students

Participation in Rashtriya Kavya Utsav offers several educational and personal development benefits.

Students can:

• Improve reading and pronunciation.
• Develop confidence in public speaking.
• Enhance communication skills.
• Learn expressive poetry recitation.
• Explore literature from different Indian languages.
• Gain national-level recognition.
• Receive official certificates from reputed government organisations.

Such competitions also encourage creativity and help students build confidence while presenting before an audience.

Encouraging Literary Culture in Schools

The Ministry of Education has been promoting reading culture through various educational initiatives in recent years. Rashtriya Kavya Utsav forms an important part of these efforts by encouraging students to engage with poetry and literature beyond classroom learning.

Schools are expected to play an active role in spreading awareness about the competition and motivating interested students to participate. Teachers can also guide students in selecting suitable poems and improving their recitation techniques.

Important Dates

Students planning to participate should keep the following schedule in mind:

Event: Rashtriya Kavya Utsav 2026

Eligible Classes: 9 to 12

Registration Begins: June 1, 2026

Last Date for Registration and Submission: July 31, 2026

Mode of Participation: Online

Registration Fee: Free

Organising Platform: Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya (ReP)

Final Words

The Rashtriya Kavya Utsav 2026 presents an excellent opportunity for students of Classes 9 to 12 to celebrate poetry and showcase their recitation skills on a national platform. Organised by the Ministry of Education through Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, the competition promotes reading, literary appreciation, and effective communication among school students.

With free registration, digital certificates for every participant, and national recognition for winners, the initiative is expected to attract participation from thousands of students across the country. Interested students should complete their registration, prepare their poetry recitation carefully, and submit their entries before the July 31, 2026 deadline to become part of this nationwide celebration of literature and creative expression.

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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