CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2026: Submission of stories, Evaluation and Publication
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  • CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2026: Submission of stories, Evaluation and Publication

CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2026: Submission of stories, Evaluation and Publication

Mangane PriyankaUpdated on 06 Jan 2026, 02:31 PM IST

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts a series of activities for its students through the CBSE Reading Mission. One of the activities under the CBSE Reading Mission is the CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26. The programme will be conducted in two rounds. The first round will be held at school level while the second round will be for shortlisted stories. Students can register for the first round from January 6 to 31, 2026, while the second round registration and submission will be held from February 3 to 27, 2026.
CBSE Budding Author's Programme 2025-26

This Story also Contains

  1. CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26 Highlights
  2. Steps of CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26
  3. Story Cues for Writing Stories
  4. Terms and Conditions for Participating in CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26
CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2026: Submission of stories, Evaluation and Publication
CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26

The CBSE budding authors programme aims to ignite the creative spark within its students by encouraging them to explore the art of storytelling. Students can feel free to write any short story expressing their imagination and ideas, and submit it under this programme. The board offers students the chance to see their stories get published and the opportunity to meet renowned storywriters for children.

CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26 Highlights

Students participating in the CBSE Budding Authors 2025-26 Programme can feel free to write their stories in Hindi or English. Check out the overview of the CBSE budding authors programme below.

Category

Classes

Words

1

Class 5-6

500 to 600 words

2

Class 7-8

600 to 900 words

3

Class 9-10

1000 to 1500 words

Important Dates

ParticularsDates
CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26 notification release dateJanuary 5, 2026
First round (at the school level)January 6 to 31, 2026
Second round (registration & submission of shortlisted stories)February 3 to 27, 2026

Steps of CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26

There are some steps that will be followed during the CBSE budding authors programme 2025-26. Firstly, students will have to register, which will be done by their respective schools, and then an online workshop will be held to guide the students with story writing after which students can write and submit their stories on the CBSE academic online portal. Lastly, selected stories will be published by the board as a collection of short stories. Below, we have provided a detailed explanation of the following steps for better understanding.

Registration:

  • Schools must register their students for the CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26 through the official website of the CBSE academic board, cbseacademic.nic.in or cbseit.in/cbse/2025/bauthor.

  • Schools must nominate a teacher as a nodal officer for registering students. There are no limits on the number of registrations from each school.

  • The board will provide a unique login ID and password for each student at the time of registration. The list of registered students will be made available to the schools through the official website as the final registration list.

  • Schools must keep a record of the IDs and passwords provided by the board at the time of registration.

CBSE Class 10th Syllabus 2025-26
Students can access the subject-wise CBSE Class 10 syllabus for the 2025–26 academic session.
Check Now

Submission of Stories

  • The school will share the unique ID and password with the registered students. They can use it as login credentials for writing and submitting their stories on the technology platform.

  • Once the final stories are e-published, students participating in the CBSE budding authors programme will receive an online certificate of participation.

Evaluation and Publication

  • The entries submitted by the students in the Second Phase will be evaluated by a panel of subject experts.

  • The board will provide editorial support to finalise the shortlisted stories of each category.

  • Best entries selected at the national level will be e-published by the CBSE board as a collection of short stories for each category.

Story Cues for Writing Stories

Students must write stories using their imagination and creative minds. They can write about anything and express themselves through their stories. Below, we have provided some story cues and elements to help them come up with different stories. They can use these examples as a reference to come up with their own plot and stories.

For Class 5-6 (Word Limit - 500-600 words)

Theme

Story Cues

Hero Story Element

Adventure

An alien ship lands in school during the maths period.

Plot

The school garden is being raided by someone who leaves behind square footprints. Investigate.

Characters and Problem

On a trek, a mysterious sound leads one of you away. What do you do next

Plot and Setting

Love (for pets, for nature, for your school, for yourself)

Monkeys appear in the lockdown in a building society.

Problem

Someone is regularly bullying animalsin school. A gang of kids stand up to them

Problem, Character

A baby gets stuck in a locked house. Design a rescue scenario.

Problem, Setting

Heroes around usA quarrelling family meets a Kargil war hero in their building society.Characters
A child usually scared of the dark overcomes their fear in a crisis situation.Characters, Setting, Solution
A policewoman helps people in a new city who are unable to speak the language.Problem, Solution
ScienceA failed invention suddenly finds new use.Plot
Two magnets are sucking up the world's energies. Only one child can save the planet using science.Character, Problem, Solution
It's 2025 and the world has no electricity. What will life be like?Character, Problem, Solution
Your friend makes a robot that does whatever you need. What do you make him do?Character, Plot

For Class 7-8 (Word Limit - 600-900 words)

Themes

Story Cues

Hero Story Element

When I… (A theme that makes you fantasise or imagine about a certain point in time)

  • When I found an ancient treasure buried in my school playground.
  • When I dialed 100 by mistake and the police came rushing to my house.
  • When I got to be the Prime Minister of India for a day.
  • When I had to host a foreign exchange student from Spain at my house.
  • Plot, Problem, Solution
  • Plot
  • Problem, Solution
  • Characters

Weird and Whacky (All things out of the ordinary

  • A strange island forms in your bathroom. What can be done?
  • My upside-down day, when I went to work and my mom went to school (in my classroom).
  • Zombies take over your school while you are playing a game of zombies.
  • You are in the forest when you came face to face with the snow dragon: an adorable, furry, and suprisingly tiny creature who breathes fire.
  • Character, Problem, Solution
  • Plot
  • Character, Plot, Problem, Solution
  • Plot

Kindness

  • A poacher who has a change of heart and devotes their life to helping animals.
  • A friend forgives another who makes a rash mistake, and what happens when the tables are turned.
  • Being kind is hard, but worth it.
  • Character
  • Characters, Problem, Solution
  • Problem, Solution

Self-confidence

  • Someone who always loses races but participates in them again and again.
  • I was terrified. Butterflies filled my stomach. But I took a deep breath and finally stepped out onto the stage.
  • When I say it, I do it.
  • One day a 14-year-old teenager wakes up and realises that they are 22.
  • Character (traits)
  • Character (traits/actions), problem, solution
  • Character, Problem, Solution
  • Plot

For Class 9-10 (Word Limit - 1000-1500 words)

Themes

Story CuesHero Story Element

War and Peace

  • How a town rebuilds itself after war.
  • There are two major groups of people who live on a mythical planet, the water people and the land people. Can they learn to co-exist peacefully when the lines start blurring?
  • Write a story about a child your age, and their contribution to an important event in India's struggle for independence.
  • Characters, Plot, Problem, Solution
  • Plot, Problem, Solution
  • Character, Plot

Fantasy (All things out of the ordinary)

  • You are at a Coin Show when you meet a coin dealer who specialises in collecting mythical currencies.
  • Ghostly creatures have taken over a school.
  • The world has turned upside down, bats are sitting and humans are hanging by their toes. Mice are going to the office and cats are hiding in holes. How would a human being live in this world?
  • Character (appearance, traits, attitudes)
  • Plot, Character
  • Plot, Problem, Solution

The (not so distant) Future

  • A typical day in 2030.
  • You see a cake in a photo, and can suddenly taste it. Is this a dream, or technology?
  • The adventures of my 3D printed car.
  • Problem, Solution
  • Plot
  • Character, Plot


Also, Check: CBSE 10th Date Sheet

Terms and Conditions for Participating in CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26

  • Students must write an original story. They can write in Hindi or English, depending on their comfort level.

  • A plagiarism check and Principal recommendation will be taken before the winners are announced.

  • Students can submit their stories on all themes (all styles, genres and types of writing.

  • No participation fee will be taken from the students.

  • Submissions will be judged on literary merit, originality and readability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which class students can participate in the CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26?
A:

Students from Classes 5 to 10 can participate in the CBSE Budding Authors 2025-26 Programme. 

Q: When can I register for the CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26?
A:

The first round registration will be held from January 6 to 31, 2026, while the second round registration will take place from February 3 to 27, 2026. 

Q: Is there any fee to apply for CBSE Budding Authors Programme 2025-26?
A:

No, there is no fee to register and apply for the CBSE Budding Authors 2025-26 Programme. 

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Questions related to CBSE Class 10th

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CBSE Class 10th ?

Hello,

The link to the question paper is attached here. You can also find the answer key on the website of Careers360. Careers360 also provide student with preparation tips that will help them utilise their time in preparation.

https://school.careers360.com/articles/cbse-sahodaya-class-10-pre-board-question-paper-2025-26

Thank you.

Hello,

The link to the question paper is attached here. You can also find the answer key for the subjects on the careers360 website that will help you analyse in-depth performance.

https://school.careers360.com/articles/chennai-sahodaya-question-paper-2025-26

Thank you

Hello

You will be able to download the CBSE Class 10th Sample Paper 2025-26 from our official website, careers360, by using the link which is given below.

https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-10th-maths-sample-papers-2025-26

Thank you.


Hello,

The link to the question paper is attached here. You can also find the answer key that will help you analyse your in-depth performance. Careers360 provides students with preparation tips that will help them utilise their time correctly in preparation

https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-pre-board-sample-paper-2025-26

Thank you

Hello,

The CBSE board under Sahodaya School Complexes conducts the Sahodaya School Complex Examination. This examination is based on the latest CBSE syllabus and guidelines.

Practicing with the Sahodaya question papers will give one an overview of the entire examination pattern of the finals, it's marking scheme and types of