HarperCollins' Ambitious Plan: A Reading Revolution for India

NEW DELHI – January 15, 2026 – As millions across India set their resolutions for the new year, HarperCollins Publishers India has unveiled one of its own: a bold, year-long campaign to transform reading from an occasional task into a joyful daily habit. The publisher today announced the launch of "Read for Pleasure," a nationwide initiative for 2026 that challenges every person in the country to commit to just 30 minutes of reading every day.

The campaign, inspired by a similar internal program at HarperCollins UK, aims to re-center reading as a fundamental part of everyday life, rooted not in academic obligation but in personal enrichment, curiosity, and joy. It represents a significant investment by the publishing giant to cultivate a deeper, more sustainable reading culture across one of the world's largest and most dynamic book markets.

A Nation of Readers or a Nation of Screens?

The "Read for Pleasure" campaign arrives at a pivotal moment for India. On one hand, the country boasts an impressive literacy rate of 80.9% and its citizens spend an average of 352 hours a year reading—placing it second globally. Yet, this figure belies a complex reality. The definition of "reading" is increasingly blurred by the dominance of digital media, with a significant portion of that time spent on online articles and social media.

While 92% of Indian children report reading for enjoyment at least once a week, according to a 2020 Scholastic survey, the pervasive pull of video content and digital distractions presents a formidable challenge to deep, sustained reading. The campaign seeks to address this dichotomy head-on, encouraging a conscious shift away from passive screen time towards the immersive experience of a book.

The initiative is particularly focused on India's vast youth population. "India has the most number of young people in the world, and especially those undergoing primary education, and it is very important for this group to cultivate reading as a habit as they navigate a complex world," said Anantha Padmanabhan, CEO of HarperCollins Publishers India, in a statement. "I'm delighted to be launching this campaign in India encouraging everyone in the value chain to join the movement, embrace books and make India read more!"

The Science of a Simple Habit

At the heart of the campaign is a deceptively simple call to action: read for 30 minutes every day. This specific, manageable goal is grounded in behavioral science, which champions the power of small, consistent actions to build lasting habits. By lowering the barrier to entry, HarperCollins hopes to attract not only avid bookworms but also lapsed readers and those intimidated by the prospect of tackling a large book.

The benefits of such a habit are well-documented. Research indicates that just 30 minutes of reading can reduce stress levels as effectively as low-intensity yoga, while also strengthening concentration, expanding vocabulary, and slowing cognitive decline. More profoundly, regular reading is proven to foster empathy, kindness, and critical thinking—essential skills in an increasingly polarized world.

The campaign is designed for maximum inclusivity. It encourages reading in any language and in various forms: reading to children or elders, participating in a book club, or simply enjoying a book alone. "At HarperCollins India, we believe reading should feel welcoming, personal, and accessible, not intimidating," added Akriti Tyagi, the publisher's Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications. "Read for Pleasure is designed for everyone: children discovering stories for the first time, adults returning to books after long gaps, and families or communities reading together."

Beyond the Bookshelf: A Strategic Play

While the campaign's cultural and social ambitions are clear, it also represents a shrewd strategic move in India's highly competitive publishing industry. The Indian book market, projected to reach revenues of USD 5.83 billion in 2025, is a key growth area for global publishers. By investing in the creation of new readers, HarperCollins is effectively investing in the long-term expansion of its own customer base.

This type of large-scale reading promotion is not unprecedented. Competitor Penguin Random House India has run several successful initiatives, including its "#FictionAddiction" and "#JoyOfReading" campaigns. Government bodies and NGOs like Room to Read also run literacy drives such as "Padhe Bharat" and "India Gets Reading." HarperCollins' entry with "Read for Pleasure" signals an escalation in the industry's collective effort to build and sustain a vibrant market.

The strategy hinges on a multi-pronged partnership model. The publisher plans to collaborate with bookstores for on-ground events, work with schools to integrate the 30-minute pledge into student life, and partner with charitable organizations to improve book access for underserved children. A key element is the engagement of the corporate sector, encouraging companies to establish employee reading clubs and support existing ones with curated resources—a move that aligns perfectly with India's mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) laws.

Building a Movement from the Ground Up

The success of "Read for Pleasure" will depend on its ability to permeate daily life through a blend of digital engagement and on-ground activities. Throughout 2026, HarperCollins will roll out monthly reading sessions with book clubs, provide curated reading lists, and leverage social media to build a community of participants.

To demonstrate its commitment, the company is also turning inward. It will introduce a monthly "Read for Pleasure Hour" for its own employees, encouraging them to read in any language of their choice during work hours. Employees' children will also be invited to participate, fostering a family-oriented reading culture from within.

By inviting authors and regional language publishers to share book recommendations, the campaign aims to transcend its corporate origins and become a broader, more organic movement. It's an acknowledgment that building a nation of readers cannot be the work of a single entity.

"As publishers, our role goes beyond bringing books to market; it is about sustaining the culture of reading itself," Tyagi stated. "By encouraging a simple habit, 30 minutes of reading a day, we are investing in imagination, empathy, and lifelong learning, and quietly building a nation of readers, one joyful reading moment at a time." Through this comprehensive effort, HarperCollins India is not just selling books; it is attempting to spark a nationwide conversation about the enduring power of the written word.