FAQ

NILF runs 12-15 March 2026 at the Rajgir International Convention Centre (Rajgir ICC), set near the ancient Nalanda ruins. The venue offers festival halls, breakout salons, and an exhibition courtyard for books and manuscript displays.

NILF centers on five core strands: heritage & manuscripts, translation and lost texts, literature & social change, the future of knowledge (AI and archives), and storytelling as civic practice. Sessions range from long-form debates and rare-text workshops to book launches and live translations.

• By air: The nearest major airport is Patna (Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport) - roughly 60-90 km by road; taxis and hired cars run to Rajgir. Gaya is also a reasonable arrival point for some travellers.
• By train: Rajgir and nearby Nalanda have rail links to Patna and Gaya. From the station, local taxis or festival shuttles will take you to the ICC.
• By road: Regular buses, private cars and intercity taxis connect Rajgir with Patna, Gaya and Bodh Gaya. We'll publish detailed directions, pickup points and shuttle schedules on the travel page soon.

Yes. NILF uses tiered passes: day-passes, full-festival passes, and curated VIP/Salon passes (limited). Some masterclasses or closed sessions require separate registration. Tickets are sold only via the official site; avoid third-party resellers. Check the Tickets page for early-bird windows and fellowship opportunities.

Yes. We list partner hotels, guest houses and homestays near Rajgir and Nalanda, with negotiated rates for festival attendees. There will also be curated accommodation bundles and travel partners for visitors coming from Patna or Gaya.

We curate speakers by invitation, but we welcome proposals for workshops, readings and panel ideas. Submit a concise proposal (title, 200-word abstract, CV/links) via the "Propose a Session" form. The curatorial team reviews proposals against the festival's themes and available slots.

Yes. NILF runs a volunteer programme (hospitality, stage-help, reader liaison) and a scholars' fellowship that supports a small cohort of early-career researchers or translators with travel and accommodation stipends. Application deadlines and selection criteria are on the Opportunities page.

The Rajgir ICC is wheelchair-accessible and we provide accessible seating and assistance at major halls. Many sessions are conversational rather than lecture-style, which works well for mixed audiences. Family-friendly spaces (reading corners, guided kid sessions) are planned; check the schedule for age guidance on specific sessions.

Media accreditation is available for working journalists and accredited broadcasters. Apply via the Press page with a short assignment brief, recent clips and an outlet credential. Sponsors and institutional partners interested in brand or CSR tie-ups should contact the Partnerships team for sponsor decks and bespoke activation options.