Robin S. Ngangom has been named the recipient of the 3rd Jayanta Mahapatra National Award for Literature 2026, honoring his lifetime contribution to Indian English poetry.
OdishaPlus Bureau
Renowned bilingual poet and translator Robin S. Ngangom has been named the recipient of the 3rd Jayanta Mahapatra National Award for Literature 2026, in recognition of his distinguished lifetime contribution to poetry in English and his significant role in shaping contemporary Indian English poetry.
The award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a citation, will be bestowed upon Robin S. Ngangom on January 31, 2026, during the inaugural session of the Toshali Literature Festival 2026 in Bhubaneswar.
Announcing the decision, the jury noted that Ngangom’s poetry, marked by lyrical restraint, moral depth and ethical seriousness, has consistently engaged with themes of memory, loss, love, violence and human vulnerability. His work has received wide national recognition and sustained international circulation through leading publishers and major literary anthologies, resonating closely with the humane and contemplative legacy of late poet Jayanta Mahapatra.
The jury concluded its deliberations after a rigorous evaluation of nominations received from across the country. Apart from Robin S. Ngangom, many other acclaimed poets shortlisted for the award included Sudeep Sen, Shanta Acharya, Sanjukta Dasgupta, Sharmila Ray and Santosh Bakaya.
The Jayanta Mahapatra National Award for Literature was earlier conferred on Gopal Lahiri (2024) and Vinita Agrawal (2025).