Questions and Answers
Who can participate?
Write for Right India's Children's Anthology is open to children aged 6 to 17. A parent or guardian must give consent for every entry, and schools, teachers and parents are welcome to help children take part.
What age groups are eligible?
There is one open group for children aged 6 to 17, counted on 6 December 2026. There are no separate age bands.
Can children submit directly?
No. A parent or guardian submits on the child's behalf from their own account on the Shhalaj Author Portal; the child does not need an account. See How to Submit for the steps.
Can schools submit entries?
Schools will be able to support and facilitate entries from their students. Full details will appear in the Submission Guidelines.
What languages are accepted?
English and Hindi.
What types of writing are accepted?
Original stories, poems and essays. Entries must be the child's own work, up to 1,500 words, and text only (no drawings or illustrations).
Can a child submit more than one entry?
No. Each child may submit one entry.
Is there a submission fee?
No. Entering is free. Families will also be able to buy a copy of the published book on book.shhalaj.com (black-and-white edition, MRP Rs 499); a link will be shared with them.
How are entries selected?
Entries are checked against the guidelines and then reviewed by a panel of empanelled editors, who look at originality, imagination, clear structure and expression for the child's age. Results are announced on 28 December 2026.
Will selected entries be edited?
Selected entries may be edited for clarity, length or publication standards, in consultation with the contributor wherever practical.
Will selected children be published?
Selected entries are intended for publication in the Children's Anthology, subject to the programme's final editorial and production process.
Will children receive certificates?
A certificate is given to every writer whose work is selected for publication.
Who owns copyright?
Copyright in every entry remains with its author. A parent or guardian confirms the work is the child's own and, if the entry is selected, permits Shhalaj Publishing House to publish it in the anthology.
What consent is required?
Parent or guardian consent will be required for entries from minors, as set out in the Submission Guidelines and the Child Safety Policy.
How will children's personal information be handled?
Any personal information collected will be handled in line with our Privacy Policy and Child Safety Policy, with the child's welfare and privacy as the first priority.