Indian Author Nilanjana Roy on 2026 International Booker Prize Jury

Celebrated Indian author, journalist, and critic Nilanjana S. Roy has been named to the five-member jury for the prestigious 2026 International Booker Prize, one of the world’s foremost honours celebrating translated fiction.

Based in New Delhi, Roy is known for her incisive literary criticism, deft fiction writing, and steadfast advocacy for underrepresented voices in global literature. Her inclusion in the jury not only underscores the growing recognition of South Asian literary perspectives but also highlights the importance of cultural diversity in shaping contemporary literary discourse.

A Distinguished Jury Line-Up

Roy will join a jury chaired by Natasha Brown, acclaimed British author of Assembly, whose work has been widely praised for its sharp exploration of race, identity, and modern womanhood in Britain.

The panel also includes:

Marcus du Sautoy, an Oxford mathematician and bestselling author who has explored the intersections of science, mathematics, and the arts;

Sophie Hughes, a highly regarded translator who has played a pivotal role in bringing Latin American literature to English-speaking audiences; and

Troy Onyango, a Kenyan writer, editor, and founder of the literary platform Lolwe, as well as an independent bookseller based in Nairobi.

Together, this diverse and intellectually robust jury brings a wealth of expertise from literature, translation, science, and publishing, ensuring a nuanced and holistic evaluation of the year’s most compelling translated works.

Honouring Translation as a Creative Collaboration

The International Booker Prize, awarded annually, celebrates exceptional works of fiction translated into English. With a £50,000 prize split equally between the author and translator(s), it honours the profound collaboration between original storytellers and the translators who bridge linguistic and cultural divides.

Each of the six shortlisted titles will also receive £5,000, again shared between the writer and the translator.

“The act of translation is one of generosity, creativity, and connection,” Roy said, reflecting on her role as a juror. “To translate is to ferry literature from one language to another, to forge kinship across distance.”

Prize Timeline

Longlist announcement: February 24, 2026

Shortlist of six titles: March 31, 2026

Winner revealed: May 2026, at a formal ceremony

These milestones mark an exciting period for the literary world, as readers and critics alike anticipate which international voices will be spotlighted.

Roy’s appointment marks a powerful moment for Indian and South Asian representation in global literary institutions. Known for her keen understanding of the region’s literary traditions, Roy has long championed inclusive storytelling that reflects the plurality of voices, languages, and histories.

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