Goncourt Choice of India 2026

Nathacha Appanah Wins the 5th Choix Goncourt of India

On March 17, 2026, in New Delhi, Indian francophone students awarded the Choix Goncourt of India to La Nuit au cœur by Nathacha Appanah, following several months of reading, analysis, and debate.

Read the Press Release

Discover the Participating Universities Across India

⦿ Delhi University ⦿ Rajasthan University ⦿ Savitribai University Pune
⦿ Pondicherry University ⦿ EFL University Hyderabad ⦿ Panjab University
⦿ Jawaharlal Nehru University ⦿ Banaras Hindu University ⦿ Alliance Française India

⦿ Delhi University ⦿ Rajasthan University ⦿ Savitribai University Pune ⦿ Pondicherry University ⦿ EFL University Hyderabad ⦿ Panjab University ⦿ Jawaharlal Nehru University ⦿ Banaras Hindu University

The Prize & Program

Created in 2021, the Choix Goncourt of India is part of the international Choix Goncourt network, in partnership with the Académie Goncourt. It offers francophone students the opportunity to read and study the shortlisted works of the Prix Goncourt in their original language.

For this fifth edition, eight major Indian universities and the Alliances Françaises network took part in the program. Over several months, students analyzed the books, engaged in classroom discussions, and developed collective critical perspectives. Supported by the Apeejay Trust the initiative promotes contemporary French-language literature while strengthening cultural ties between France and India. It is also part of a long-term commitment to supporting translation, notably through the translation of the winning work into several Indian languages and the organization of a translation competition aimed at encouraging emerging talents.

The Selection

Students studied four novels shortlisted for the 2025 Prix Goncourt:

Nathacha Appanah — La Nuit au cœur (Gallimard)
Emmanuel Carrère — Kolkhoze (P.O.L)
Caroline Lamarche — Le Bel Obscur (Seuil)
Laurent Mauvignier — La Maison vide (Minuit)

Following the final deliberations at the Embassy of France in Delhi, the student juries selected La Nuit au cœur as the winner. The novel particularly resonated with readers due to the strength of its themes and their relevance in the Indian context.

Announcing The 2026 Laureate

On March 17, 2026, jury presidents representing participating universities gathered at the French Embassy in India to deliberate, in keeping with the tradition of the Académie Goncourt. The day continued with an official lunch attended by the French Ambassador, Thierry Mathou, along with key figures from the cultural sector.

In the evening, a literary event was held at the Park Hotel, featuring a roundtable discussion on the theme: “In literature, do we always write about ourselves?” Indian authors shared their perspectives with the audience.

This edition also benefited from the exceptional patronage of Tahar Ben Jelloun, member of the Académie Goncourt.

Translation Contest: Call for Applications

Submit a translation sample and stand a chance to receive a publishing contract.

The Goncourt Choice of India is expanding its scope with the launch of a translation contest, inviting translators to work with contemporary French literature.

For this first edition, candidates are invited to translate an excerpt from La Nuit au cœur (A Night at the Heart) by Nathacha Appanah.

The call is open for translations from French into the following languages: Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.

The selected laureate will receive a translation grant for the complete translation of the book, along with a publishing contract.

Deadline for applications: 1 May 2026

Apply Now

The Winners of Previous Editions:

Goncourt Choice of India 2025: Jacaranda, Gaël Faye, (Grasset) | Thank you note
Goncourt Choice of India 2024: Triste Tigre, Neige Sinno, (P.O.L) | Thank you note
Goncourt Choice of India 2023: Vivre Vite, Brigitte Giraud, (Flammarion)
Goncourt Choice of India 2022: La plus secrète mémoire des hommes, Mohamed Mbougar Sarr (Philippe Rey)