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President presents 65th National Exhibition of Art awards to 20 artists
In brief
President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards of the 65th National Exhibition of Art and the 3rd Print Biennale India 2026 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The event was organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi, India's national academy of fine arts, under the Ministry of Culture.
A record-sized field
According to the Ministry of Culture, this year's National Exhibition of Art received 6,175 artworks from 2,495 artists representing 27 States and Union Territories. In all, 270 works were selected for the exhibition, and 20 artists were chosen for awards. Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal noted that the Akademi was set up in 1954 and that the first National Exhibition, held at Jaipur House in 1955, drew about 1,200 entries, so this year's edition is roughly five times larger.
In her address, the President described art as a mirror of the country's culture and traditions, and singled out printmaking as an important tradition of artistic expression. Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat welcomed her with a Gond painting and said that selling artworks as part of the programme helps artists earn a living from their work. A short film on the history of the Akademi and the exhibition was also screened.
Coming next: India Biennale 2026
The ministry also announced that the India Biennale 2026 will run from December 4, 2026, to March 21, 2027, at monuments and heritage sites across Delhi, putting contemporary art inside historic spaces.
VSH take: a biennale spread across Delhi's monuments could be a great reason for a winter trip, and art lovers usually say these shows are best seen early, before the crowds. If you are planning to visit, compare fares on our flights hub and find tours and transfers on the travel page. Young artists can play with colours using our free colour palette generator, and students can add this to their art and culture notes on our exams hub.
This is our own summary of an official press release. ViralScopeHub is not affiliated with the Lalit Kala Akademi, the Ministry of Culture or the Government of India.
Why it matters
The National Exhibition of Art is India's main national showcase for living artists, and the new India Biennale gives visitors a fresh reason to explore Delhi's heritage sites this winter.
People also ask
Who organises the National Exhibition of Art?
The Lalit Kala Akademi, India's national academy of fine arts, under the Ministry of Culture.
How many artworks were entered in the 65th National Exhibition of Art?
6,175 artworks from 2,495 artists in 27 States and Union Territories; 270 were selected for display and 20 artists received awards.
When is the India Biennale 2026?
From December 4, 2026, to March 21, 2027, at monuments and heritage sites in Delhi.
Related free tools: Color Palette Generator
Sources
Every ViralScopeHub news item is an original summary written in our own words. We link to the original reporting so you can read the full story from the publisher.
