The winner was chosen by a jury chaired by noted novelist M Mukundan, with writer Gracy and critic Dr KS Ravikumar as members, Padmaprabha Trust chairman MV Shreyams Kumar said.

The jury noted that while many earlier women-centric Malayalam novels portrayed women's lives through the aesthetic lens of patriarchy, Rajasree's works stand apart by transcending the binary of woman and man, offering depth of experience and a striking narrative. In her second novel Aathreyakam, she presents a world and time entirely different from her debut, marked by a refined and structured style. The jury observed that through the inner conflicts of the marginalised, the helpless, and those wounded by love, she creates an alternative to epic narratives.

Born in Parassinikkadavu in Kannur district, R Rajasree came into prominence with her novel Kalyaniyennum Dakshayaniyennum Peraya Randu Sthreekalude Katha, which won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 2021. Aathreyakam is another of her major works. Her other notable writings include Nayika Nirmithi, Vazhiyum Porulum, Apasarppakaakhyanangal: Bhavanayum Rashtreeyavum, and Krishnanuvendiyunday Pennungal.

Rajasree is a faculty member at the Malayalam Department and Research Centre of Government Brennen College, Thalassery. Her novel Kamalalakshmanam is currently being serialized in the Mathrubhumi Weekly.