In 2021, India proudly joined the international family of the Choix Goncourt (Goncourt Choice). The Prix Goncourt is one of the most prestigious French literary prizes. It is awarded every year to the author of “the best and most imaginative prose work of the year”. The Goncourt Choice of India was created for Indian francophone students who love literature. It is affiliated with the Académie Goncourt.

For its fourth edition, the prize is supported by 10 institutions, comprising the network of Alliances Françaises as well as 9 universities across India:

Choix Goncourt de l'Inde

⦿ Delhi University ⦿ Rajasthan University ⦿ University of Mumbai ⦿ Savitribai University Pune
⦿ Pondicherry University ⦿ EFL University Hyderabad ⦿ Madurai Kamaraj University
⦿ Jawaharlal Nehru University ⦿ Banaras Hindu University

Choix Goncourt de l'Inde

⦿ Delhi University ⦿ Rajasthan University ⦿ University of Mumbai ⦿ Savitribai University Pune ⦿ Pondicherry University ⦿ EFL University Hyderabad  ⦿ Madurai Kamaraj University ⦿ Jawaharlal Nehru University ⦿ Banaras Hindu University

In the course of six months, the jury read the four books shortlisted for the Goncourt Prize in their original language, and discussed them with their teachers and classmates.

  • Madelaine avant l’aube, Sandrien Colette (JC Lattès)
  • Jacaranda, Gaël faye (Grasset)
  • Archipels, Hélène Gaudy (L’Olivier)
  • Houris, Kamel Daoud (Gallimard)

A series of online sessions are offered to them to get to know France’s most prestigious literary prize, to learn the basics of literary criticism, and to understand the publication journey behind the four titles.

The presidents of each of the ten juries of the Goncourt Choice of India met in March 2025 at Alliance Française in Delhi, where they debated their choices over lunch, following the ritual established by the Goncourt Academy for more than a century.

Gaël faye wins the 2025 title for Jacaranda (Grasset)

Gaël Faye’s message to the Jury members of the Goncourt Choice of India

Bonjour, I’ve just flown in to Paris from Kigali, only to discover this wonderful news! I’m happy to know that this story resonated with the jury of the Indian chapter of the Goncourt prize.

Image © Julien Banaszuk

The Winners of previous editions:

  • Goncourt Choice of India 2024: Triste Tigre, Neige Sinno, (P.O.L) | Thank you note
  • Goncourt Choice of India 2023: Vivre Vite, Brigitte Giraud, (Flammarion)
  • Goncourt Choice of India 2022: La plus secrète mémoire des hommes, Mohamed Mbougar Sarr (Philippe Rey)