The 1st Rainbow Awards ceremony was held at Rainbow Lit Fest, Gulmohar Park, New Delhi on 10 December 2023. It celebrated writers from 1 January 2022 and journalists from 1 June 2022, both until 31 May 2023.
The nine-member jury composed of following members evaluated the submissions and decide on the award winners. Rohin Bhatt, queer rights activist, lawyer and bioethicist, served as a co-coordinator.
Hoshang Merchant, a Hyderabad-based poet and professor best known for his anthology Yaraana, was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award.