How to Participate in the 8th National Photography Awards

The National Photography Awards, organized by the Photo Division, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, offer a platform for photographers to showcase their talent and contribute to the country's cultural and artistic heritage. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to participate.

Objectives of the Awards

The primary aims of the National Photography Awards are to:

• Highlight various aspects of India, such as its arts, culture, development, heritage, history, life, people, society, and traditions.
• Encourage both professional and amateur photographers to capture and present these facets through their lenses.

Categories and Awards

1. Life-Time Achievement Award

• Eligibility: Renowned professional photographers with significant contributions to photography.
• Award Contents:
  • Cash Prize: ₹3,00,000
  • Special Medal, Plaque, or Trophy
  • A Shawl
  • A Citation

2. Professional Category

• Awards:
  • Professional Photographer of the Year
    • Cash Prize: ₹1,00,000
    • Special Medal or Plaque
    • A Citation
  • Special Mention Awards (5 awards)
    • Cash Prize: ₹50,000 each
    • Special Medal or Plaque
    • A Citation

3. Amateur Category

• Awards:
  • Amateur Photographer of the Year
    • Cash Prize: ₹75,000
    • Special Medal or Plaque
    • A Citation
  • Special Mention Awards (5 awards)
    • Cash Prize: ₹30,000 each
    • Special Medal or Plaque
    • A Citation

Themes for the Competition

• Professional Category: Life and Water
• Amateur Category: Cultural Heritage of India

Submission Guidelines

For Professional Photographers:

1. Portfolio: Submit a maximum of 15 photographs based on the theme "Life and Water."
2. Eligibility: Only fresh and unpublished photographs taken within the last two years are eligible.
3. Submission: Clearly mark the envelope with "National Photography Awards - Professional Category" and send it to the following address:

For Amateur Photographers:

1. Portfolio: Submit a maximum of 10 photographs based on the theme "Cultural Heritage of India."
2. Eligibility: Only fresh and unpublished photographs taken within the last two years are eligible.
3. Submission: Clearly mark the envelope with "National Photography Awards - Amateur Category" and send it to the address mentioned above.

Director, Photo Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Room No. 710, Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003.

General Submission Rules:

1. Email Submission: Send digital copies (up to 2MB size for each image in JPG/JPEG format) to photodiv@nic.in. Mention "National Photography Awards - Professional/Amateur Category" in the subject line. Supplement soft copies with hard copies in 8”x10” size.
2. Personal Information: Submit a self PP size (high resolution) photo along with a personal work profile (150-200 words).
3. Declaration: Fill and sign the declaration form and registration form provided in the guidelines.

Selection Process

• Selection Committee: A committee of experts in photography and allied arts, chaired by a distinguished individual, will evaluate the submissions.
• Evaluation Criteria: The committee will judge the entries based on the originality, quality, and adherence to the theme.
• Announcement of Results: Winners will be announced in the second week of February, followed by an award ceremony in the last week of February.

Important Dates

• Last Date for Submission: 15th January
• Shortlisting: 1st to 20th January
• Judging Process: 20th to 30th January
• Result Announcement: Second week of February
• Award Ceremony: Last week of February

General Norms and Conditions

• No entry fees.
• Open to all Indian photographers, except previous two years' National Photography Awards recipients and officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• Participants can choose only one category (Professional or Amateur).
• Entries must not contain any infringing, threatening, false, misleading, abusive, harassing, or defamatory content.
• The Photo Division reserves the right to disqualify any entry without providing reasons.

By participating in the National Photography Awards, photographers not only get a chance to win prestigious awards but also contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of India through their art. Ensure your entries are unique, adhere to the themes, and comply with the guidelines for a successful submission. Good luck!