The Media Foundation Invites Applications for the Following Journalism Awards

Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Woman Media Person of the Year

The Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Woman Media Person of the Year, instituted in memory of noted freedom fighter Chameli Devi Jain, is given to an exceptional woman media person who has through her work, her social concern, courage, originality, and insight, made a difference to society at large. Since its inception in 1981, Chameli Devi Jain awardees have included some of the best-known and respected names in Indian journalism. 

The award carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000.

An independent jury panel will evaluate the entries.

Eligibility: Women journalists in print, broadcast and digital media, documentary filmmakers, news photographers, cartoonists and newspaper designers may apply with FIVE samples of their work published between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. These should be sent in the form of weblinks or PDFs.

  • Other things being equal, preference will be given to small town/rural Indian language journalists and those who have not been awarded before.
  • Entries may be sent in English, Hindi or any other Indian language. In case of entries in a regional language, please include English translations.
  • Applications should include a bio-data and a brief note on why the candidate deserves the award.

Mail to: themediafoundation2023@gmail.com

Last date for sending entries: 
January 31, 2026

Vishwa Nath-Delhi Press Award for Fearless Journalism

The Vishwa Nath-Delhi Press Award for Fearless Journalism has been instituted in memory of Vishwa Nath, the founder of Delhi Press (publisher of The Caravan, Sarita, Woman’s Era, Champak, Grihshobha and several other magazines), who was known for his relentless courage in challenging both institutional authority and societal orthodoxy. He championed the principles of integrity, social responsibility, and public service in journalism, and the award seeks to honour journalists who embody these values in their work.

The award recognises journalistic work that has demonstrated a fearless commitment to uncovering important truths, challenging power structures across political, societal, business or cultural realms, questioning orthodoxies and upholding the public’s right to knowledge. It underscores the resilience of both journalists and their media institutions, whose courage reinforces the foundational role of a free press.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000.

An independent jury panel will evaluate the entries.

Eligibility:  Journalists (of any gender) may apply with up to FIVE samples of their work which fit the above criteria (they should address one particular issue) published in print, broadcast or digital media between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. These should be sent in the form of weblinks or PDFs.

  • Entries may be sent for journalistic work in English, Hindi or any other Indian language. In case they are in a regional language, please include English translations.
  • Applications should include a bio-data and a brief note on why the candidate deserves the award.

Mail to: 
themediafoundation2023@gmail.com

Last date for sending entries:
January 31, 2026

Kamla Mankekar Award for Journalism on Gender

The Kamla Mankekar Award for Journalism on Gender has been instituted in memory of Kamla Mankekar, a pioneering journalist of Independent India who had a lifelong commitment to gender equity. The award seeks to recognise excellence in journalists who use gender as the primary lens to report and analyse India’s social, cultural, economic and political issues.

The award will honour journalism that focuses not only on women or womanhood, but also writing on gender from an intersectional perspective, including but not limited to: gender and the environment, the masculinisation of Indian politics, gender inequalities in public health, sexuality and social marginalisation, gender in conflict and peacekeeping, gender and development, gender in labour, the economy and popular culture, the gendering of public spaces, gender and family dynamics, education and gender socialisation, and so on.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000.

An independent jury panel will evaluate the entries.

Eligibility: Journalists (of any gender) may apply with FIVE samples of their work that fit the above criteria and have been published in print, broadcast or digital media between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. These should be sent in the form of weblinks or PDFs.

  • Entries may be in English, Hindi or any other Indian language. In case they are in a regional language, please include English translations.
  • Applications should include a bio-data and a brief note on why the candidate deserves the award.

Mail to: 
themediafoundation2023@gmail.com

Last date for sending entries: 
January 31, 2026

Note: Please write the name of the award you are applying for in the subject line of the mail.