The Government of Assam has announced the recipients of its prestigious cultural and literary awards for 2025–26, including the Silpi Bota Award 2026, honouring eminent contributors to Assam’s art, music, literature, theatre and cinema.

Key award announcements

• Silpi Bota Award 2026
  • Dhanada Pathak
  • Samar Hazarika (posthumous)
  • The award will be formally conferred in February 2026.
• Krishna Kanta Handiqui Memorial Award 2025
  • Maneswar Deuri – for contribution to Assamese literature.
• Gopinath Bardoloi National Integration Award 2025
  • Amalendu Guha (posthumous) – for contributions to education and national integration.
• Natasurya Phoni Sarma Award 2025
  • Karuna Deka – for excellence in theatre.
• Dr Bhabendranath Saikia Award 2025
  • Arup Manna – for contribution to cinema.
• Biju Phukan Award 2025
  • Abani Ranjan Pathak – for service to Assamese films.

Artist welfare measures

Along with awards, the State has strengthened its cultural welfare framework:

• 83 artistes selected for regular Silpi Pension (2025–26).
• 3 differently-abled artists selected for Silpi Pension (Special category).
• 170 artists chosen for annual Silpi Sanman.
• 3 differently-abled artists for annual Silpi Sanman (Special category).
• 26 families granted regular Family Pension.
• 5 families of deceased artistes receive one-time special financial assistance.

One-line wrap

Assam’s 2025–26 cultural awards and pensions reaffirm the State’s commitment to honouring creativity while ensuring dignity and welfare for its artistes.

Exam Hook 

Consider the following statements:

1. Silpi Bota is a state-level award given by the Government of Assam.
2. The Gopinath Bardoloi National Integration Award recognises contributions to national integration.
3. Silpi Pension is a one-time financial grant only for award winners.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: 1 and 2 only.

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