Connecting Tamil Nadu and Kashi through literature: Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 registration opens

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the registration portal for the fifth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS 5.0) on Oct 22, 2026, ahead of the event scheduled from Nov 28 to Dec 12.

The program will be held under the theme "Thirukkural Payilvom - Thirukkural Abhyas Karen," focusing on the ethical and moral teachings of the classical Tamil text Thirukkural.

The initiative aims to strengthen the longstanding civilizational and cultural connections between Tamil Nadu and Kashi through academic, cultural and spiritual exchanges. Around 1,400 participants from Tamil Nadu are expected to attend the fifth edition, with activities planned across Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya.

Registration opened on Oct 22 and will continue until Nov 13, 2026. Interested candidates can apply through the official Kashi Tamil Sangamam portal hosted by IIT Madras at kashitamil.iitm.ac.in⁠.

The registration process covers seven categories: students, teachers, writers and media professionals, agriculture and allied sectors, professionals and artisans, women, and spiritual leaders.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0: Theme and participation details

The theme, "Thirukkural Payilvom - Thirukkural Abhyas Karen," seeks to bring the ethical principles and moral teachings of the Thirukkural closer to young people and learners across India. The program aims to encourage participants to engage with India's classical knowledge traditions and apply the text's values in their everyday lives.

Approximately 1,400 participants from Tamil Nadu are expected to take part in the event. They will be divided into seven groups of 200 participants each. Every group will undertake an eight-day journey comprising four days of travel and four days of visits and structured activities.

The itinerary will cover Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya. Participants will take part in cultural, academic, domain-specific and spiritual engagements designed to promote interaction and knowledge-sharing between communities.

KTS 5.0 to engage students across 1,000 higher education institutions

A key initiative under the fifth edition is a nationwide student engagement program covering 1,000 higher education institutions. It aims to expand awareness of the Thirukkural among students from different academic disciplines and linguistic backgrounds.

The initiative will include structured study, research and campus-based activities to disseminate the text's teachings and values. By involving institutions across the country, the program seeks to encourage students to explore the Thirukkural beyond linguistic and regional boundaries.

The student engagement initiative is also intended to connect younger generations with India's classical literature and ethical traditions through academic activities and research.

School outreach and reading activities in Varanasi

The program will include educational outreach activities in schools and colleges across Varanasi. These initiatives are intended to extend the event's educational objectives to local students and encourage greater engagement with literature and learning.

The National Book Trust, in association with Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, is also set to organize interactive sessions in Varanasi schools. The sessions will focus on reading habits, storytelling and creative activities.

These initiatives will complement the wider student engagement program by introducing younger learners to literature through interactive educational formats.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0: Organizers and participating institutions

The Department of Higher Education under the Union Ministry of Education is organizing the event in collaboration with IIT Madras, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) in Chennai, and the Uttar Pradesh government.

Several Central government departments are also involved, including those responsible for Culture, Railways, School Education, Tourism, Textiles, Food Processing Industries, Information and Broadcasting, and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

The collaboration brings together educational institutions, government departments and cultural organizations to support the event's academic, cultural and outreach activities.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam: Background and previous editions

The first edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam was held in 2022. Over the past four editions, the program has promoted exchanges of knowledge, language, traditions and experiences between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.

The fifth edition builds on these efforts by placing the Thirukkural at the center of its theme and extending educational engagement through higher education institutions and schools. The program is designed to strengthen cultural connections while introducing participants to India's classical literary and intellectual heritage.

The event will run from Nov 28 to Dec 12, 2026, with registration available until Nov 13 through the official portal.