| Year | Author | Title and genre |
|---|
| 1955 | Zafar Hussain Khan | Maal aur Mashiyat (Philosophical treatise) |
| 1956 | S. Abid Hussain | Qaumi Tehzib Ka Masala (A survey of Indian culture) |
| 1957 | K.A. Faruqui | Mir Taqi Mir (Literary criticism) |
| 1958 | Jigar Moradabadi | Atish-i-Gul (Poetry) |
| 1959 | Masud Hassan Rizvi | Urdu Drama aur Stage (History of Urdu drama and stage) |
| 1960 | Firaq Gorakhpuri | Gul-i-Naghma (Poetry) |
| 1961 | Imtiaz Ali 'Arshi' | Diwan-i-Ghalib (A critical edition of Ghalib's poetry) |
| 1962 | Akhtar ul Iman | Yadein (Poetry) |
| 1963 | Khwaja Ghulam Saiyidain | Aandhi Mein Chiragh (Sketches) |
| 1964 | Anand Narain Mulla | Meri Hadis-e-Umr-e-Gurezan (Poetry) |
| 1965 | Rajinder Singh Bedi | Ek Chadar Maili Si (Novelette) |
| 1966 | No Award |
| 1967 | Qurratulain Hyder | Patjhar Ki Awaz (Short stories) |
| 1968 | No Award | |
| 1969 | Makhdum Mohiuddin | Bisat-Raqs (Poetry) |
| 1970 | Hayatullah Ansari | Lahoo Ke Phool (Novel) |
| 1971 | Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui | Ghalib ki Shakhsiyat aur Shairi (Literary criticism) |
| 1972 | No Award |
| 1973 | No Award |
| 1974 | Ale Ahmed Suroor | Nazar aur Nazariya (Literary criticism) |
| 1975 | Kaifi Azmi | Awara Sajde (Poetry) |
| 1976 | Jan Nisar Akhtar | Khak-e-Dil (Poetry) |
| 1977 | No Award |
| 1978 | Yousuf Hussain Khan | Hafiz aur Iqbal (Criticism) |
| 1979 | Gulam Rabbani Taban | Nawa-e-Awara (Poetry) |
| 1980 | Asloob Ahmad Ansari | Iqbal Ki Terah Nazmen (Literary criticism)[3] |
| 1981 | No Award |
| 1982 | Gyan Chand Jain | Zikr-O-Fikr (Literary criticism) |
| 1983 | Malik Ram | Tazkirah-e-Muasireen (4th Play) (Biography) |
| 1984 | Masud Husain Khan | Iqbal Ki Nazari-o-Amali Sheriyat (Criticism) |
| 1985 | Balraj Komal | Parindon Bhara Asmaan (Poetry) |
| 1986 | Shamsur Rahman Faruqi | Tanquidi Afkar (Literary criticism) |
| 1987 | A. M. K. Shahryar | Khwab Ka Dar Band Hai (Poetry) |
| 1988 | Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah | Aatish-e-Chinar (Autobiography) |
| 1989 | Surendra Prakash | Baaz Goyi (Short stories) |
| 1990 | Abdus Samad | Do Gaz Zameen (Novel) |
| 1991 | Salahuddin Pervez | Identity Card (Novel) |
| 1992 | Mohammad Alvi | Chautha Aasmaan (Poetry) |
| 1993 | Ram Lall | Pakheru (Short stories) |
| 1994 | Mazhar Imam | Pichhle Mausam Ka Phool (Poetry) |
| 1995 | Gopi Chand Narang | Sakhtiyat, Pas-Sakhtiyat Aur Mashriqi Sheriyat (Literary criticism) |
| 1996 | Ilyas Ahmad Gaddi | Fire Area (Novel) |
| 1997 | Gian Singh Shatir | Gian Singh Shatir (Novel) |
| 1998 | Nida Fazli | Khoya Hua Sa Kuch (Poetry) |
| 1999 | Bashir Badr | Aas (Poetry) |
| 2000 | Mohd. Idrees Ambar Bahraichi | Sookhi Tahni Par Hariyal (Poetry) |
| 2001 | Naiyer Masud | Taoos Chaman Ki Maina (Short stories) |
| 2002 | Gulzar | Dhuan (Short stories) |
| 2003 | Syed Muhammad Ashraf | Baad-E-Saba Ka Intizar (Short Stories) |
| 2004 | Salam Bin Razzaq | Shikasta Buton Ke Darmiyan (Short Stories)[4] |
| 2005 | Jabir Husain | Ret Per Khema (Memoirs) |
| 2006 | Makhmoor Saeedi | Rasta Aur Main (Poetry) |
| 2007 | Wahab Ashrafi | Tareekh-e-Adab-e-Urdu (Criticism) |
| 2008 | Jayant Parmer[5] | Pencil Aur Doosri Nazmein (Poetry) (Poetry)[6] |
| 2009 | Abul Kalam Qasmi[7] | Maasir Tanqidi Rawayyay (criticism)[8][9] |
| 2010 | Sheen Kaaf Nizam | Gumshuda Dair ki Ghantiyan (poetry)[10] |
| 2011 | Khaleel Mamoon[11] | Aafaaq Ki Taraf (Poetry)[12] |
| 2012 | Krishna Kumar Toor | Ghurfa-i-Ghalib (Poetry)[13] |
| 2013 | Javed Akhtar | Lava (Poetry)[14] |
| 2014 | Munawwar Rana | Shahdaba (Poetry) [15][16] |
| 2015 | Shamim Tariq | Tasawwuf aur Bhakti (Criticism) [17] |
| 2016 | Nizam Siddiqui | Mabad-e-Jadidiat Se Naye Ahed Ki Takhliqiyat Tak (Criticism) [18] |
| 2017 | Mohammed Baig Ehsas | Dukhma (Short story) [19] |
| 2018 | Rahman Abbas | Rohzin (Novel) [20] |
| 2019 | Shafey Kidwai | Sawaneh-e-Sir Syed: Ek Bazdeed (Biography) [21] |
| 2020 | Hussain Ul Haque | Amawas Mein Khwab (Novel) |
| 2021 | Chander Bhan Khayal | Taza Hawa Ki Tabishen (Poetry) |
| 2022 | Anis Ashfaq | Khwab Saraab (Novel)[22] |
| 2023 | Sadiqua Nawab Saher | Rajdev Ki Amrai (Novel)[23] |
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