Overview The delay in announcing the Sahitya Akademi Awards has triggered strong criticism from CPI(M) State Secretary P. Shanmugam and party MP Su. Venkatasan . They accuse the BJP -led Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting to exert control over the Akademi. Key Developments Postponement of Awards The awards were initially scheduled to be announced on December 18, 2025 . However, the announcement was postponed following a note from the Union Ministry of Culture to the Sahitya Akademi . The note referenced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with four autonomous institutions under the Ministry. The autonomous institutions mentioned are: National School of Drama , Sangeet Natak Akademi , Lalit Kala Akademi , and Sahitya Akademi . The Ministry's note stated that any restructuring of awards should be undertaken in consultation with the Ministry. Criticism and Allegations P. Shanmugam condemned the Ministry’s intervention, alleging that awards would be given only to those who support the BJP government and Sanatana ideology . He criticized the government's perceived disregard for quality in literature and history. Su. Venkatasan highlighted that the National Executive Council of the Sahitya Akademi had approved the recommendations for the 2025 award recipients. He expressed concern over the Akademi's silence and urged the Executive Council to make its decisions public. Venkatasan accused the Modi government of forcing cultural institutions to comply with its agenda. He called for collective resistance against this perceived attack on freedom of expression. UPSC Relevance GS Paper I: Indian Culture This news relates to the functioning of the Sahitya Akademi , a key institution in promoting and preserving Indian literature. Understanding its role and the controversies surrounding it is relevant to the Art and Culture section of GS Paper I . GS Paper II: Governance and Polity The allegations of government interference in the functioning of an autonomous body like the Sahitya Akademi raise questions about governance, autonomy, and freedom of expression. This is relevant to GS Paper II , particularly the sections on government policies and institutions. Exam Perspective Potential Prelims Questions What is the role of the Sahitya Akademi? Which ministry oversees the Sahitya Akademi? What is the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) mentioned in the article? Potential Mains Questions Discuss the importance of maintaining the autonomy of cultural institutions in India. Analyze the potential impact of government intervention on the freedom of expression in the literary field. Evaluate the role of the Sahitya Akademi in promoting Indian literature and culture.