With the state government declaring 2025-26 as ‘Book Year’ and organising fairs across eight locations, the ecosystem presents expanding opportunities for inventory investment, author development, and strategic partnerships in Northeast India.
Unprecedented Commercial Success
The fifth edition of the Assam Book Fair, held from 24 December 2025 through 6 January 2026 at Khanapara veterinary ground, concluded with record sales of ₹7.4 crore ($820,000) across fourteen days.
Organised jointly by the Assam Publication Board and All Assam Publishers and Booksellers Association, the fair attracted nearly 30,000 visitors daily and featured over 130 stalls from publishers nationwide. The figures represent a significant milestone for the regional publishing ecosystem, with organisers declaring it the most successful edition to date.
Market Dynamics and Reader Behaviour
Sales data reveals sustained appetite for physical books despite digital proliferation, per press reportage, although that misses the point that this was a physical books fair.
This next bit may leave outsiders lost on relevance, but bear with me.
Novels, children’s literature, and history dominated purchases, while a notable market surge emerged for publications about recently deceased singer Zubeen Garg. Approximately 60-70 titles centred on the artist were available, with his father’s memoir Pitrir Dristit Zubeen generating exceptional interest.
Relevance to those of us outside the subcontinent? This phenomenon demonstrates how regional cultural events directly influence acquisition patterns, offering publishers clear signals for list development.
Industry Recognition and Innovation
The concluding ceremony distributed the Assam Publication Board Literary Award 2025 to Dr. Dipak Kumar Barkakati for his novel Aishwarya (₹5 lakh prize – $5,500), while publisher Ranjan Jyoti Sharma of Bandhav Publications received the industry award (₹3 lakh – $3,300). These accolades highlight the board’s commitment to nurturing both creative and commercial excellence.
Significantly, the board launched its ‘Modern Glossary (Anglo-Assamese)’ mobile app, developed by Dr. Gunadweep Chetia and Dr. Bhaskarjyoti Sharma. Available on Android and iOS, this digital tool bridges traditional publishing with technological accessibility – a strategic move for professionals monitoring bilingual market opportunities.
The View From The Beach
For publishing professionals, the Assam Book Fair 2026 offers three critical insights: regional markets command substantial purchasing power; culturally specific content drives exceptional sales; and hybrid models combining print strength with digital tools optimise reach.
While still smaller than Kolkata’s 2.7 million visitors, Assam’s record 420,000 attendance and ₹7.4 crore sales demonstrate rapid growth, strong regional engagement, and emerging commercial significance in Northeast India’s publishing landscape.
With the state government declaring 2025-26 as ‘Book Year’ and organising fairs across eight locations, the ecosystem presents expanding opportunities for inventory investment, author development, and strategic partnerships in Northeast India.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
