The result was declared at Koliabor in Nagaon district in the presence of the office bearers of the apex literary organisation of the state.
Shah, a poet, novelist and playwright, succeeds prominent writer Rong Bong Terong.
The 81-year old influential writer with several books to his credit writes poems as 'Ishan Dutta'.
The former professor of Sibsagar College is a recipient of the prestigious Assam Valley Award and Ajan Peer Award.
Shah told PTI that his priority would be to bring into focus the literature and history of the various ethnic groups in the state and publish them as books.