New Delhi, October 21, 2026 , The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, today presented the Lalit Kala Akademi awards to selected artists at the closing ceremony of the 65th National Exhibition of Art, held alongside the 3rd Print Biennale India at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The ceremony, organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi under the Ministry of Culture, recognised artists whose works were chosen from a national selection process that drew thousands of entries.

A national showcase and the numbers behind it

Officials from the Ministry of Culture said this year’s National Exhibition of Art received 6,175 entries from 2,495 artists across 27 states and union territories. From those submissions a jury selected 270 works for the exhibition, and 20 artists were chosen for awards. The scale of participation demonstrates continued interest across regions in exhibiting within the Akademi’s flagship national forum.

What leaders said

In her address, President Murmu framed art as a living record of cultural memory and contemporary life, and urged greater institutional support for artists. She called for training for traditional practitioners in remote areas so they can take advantage of new technologies and wider markets. She also emphasised the importance of improving artists’ access to financial support and collectors, noting recent steps to integrate artwork sales with public programmes.

Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who attended the event, presented the President with a Gond painting as a token of gratitude. The minister praised the Akademi for offering a national platform that highlights India’s artistic diversity and said such events expand opportunities for artistic exchange and increase global visibility for Indian creative work.

Printmaking in focus

The ceremony also honoured winners and special mentions of the 3rd Print Biennale India 2026. Speakers singled out printmaking as a technical and creative medium that remains central to the Akademi’s efforts to encourage experimentation and connect artists across generations and geographies. Officials described the print biennale as a forum to showcase both traditional print techniques and contemporary approaches that incorporate new tools.

Connecting art to livelihoods and public life

Officials from the Ministry of Culture and the Lalit Kala Akademi highlighted a policy emphasis on expanding the creative economy. That includes measures to allow artworks to be sold as part of exhibition programming, which the ministry says will strengthen artists’ livelihoods. The Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Vivek Aggarwal, outlined the Akademi’s long history, noting the exhibition began in 1955 and has expanded in reach and participation since its inception.

Speeches at the event stressed bringing art into everyday spaces, including schools, universities and public venues, to broaden audiences and encourage younger people to engage with visual culture. The President urged stakeholders to provide ‘‘ample opportunities to young and emerging artists to develop their talent, explore new mediums, and expand their creative potential.’’

Looking ahead: India Biennale 2026

At the ceremony the Ministry of Culture confirmed plans for India Biennale 2026, scheduled from December 4, 2026 to March 21, 2027. The Biennale will take place across monuments and heritage sites in Delhi, and organisers described it as an opportunity to place contemporary artistic practice in conversation with historical public spaces.

Why this matters

The awards and exhibition matter for three connected reasons. First, they provide official recognition that can raise artists’ profiles and help their market prospects. Second, the inclusion of art sales and a renewed emphasis on connecting artists to collectors represents a practical shift toward treating artistic practice as part of the creative economy. Third, the scale of participation across Indian states indicates an ongoing decentralisation of artistic activity, in which regional creators can use national platforms to reach wider audiences.

The Lalit Kala Akademi’s public programme, culminating in today’s awards, reinforces the Ministry of Culture’s stated priorities of promoting cultural heritage while supporting contemporary practice and market linkages. With the India Biennale set to open in December, the calendar of national exhibitions this season signals a sustained institutional push to integrate art, heritage and the marketplace.

The Lalit Kala Akademi has published a list of awardees and the Akademi and Ministry galleries will keep exhibiting selected works through the month, providing ongoing public access to the show and opportunities for collectors and institutions to engage with the artists