New Delhi: The fifth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam will be held from November 28 to December 12, 2026, to strengthen the centuries-old cultural and civilisational ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the registration portal for the event on Thursday.
The programme aims to promote national unity under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative by facilitating exchanges of knowledge, language, traditions and cultural experiences between the two regions.
The theme for KTS 5.0 is “Thirukkural Payilvom – Thirukkural Abhyas Karen”, focusing on popularising the ethical and moral teachings of the classical Tamil text Thirukkural among young people and learners nationwide.
Joshi said India had long shared deep cultural bonds between its northern and southern regions, reflected in religious traditions involving visits to Kashi and Rameswaram. He said the programme would bring together students, teachers, writers, professionals, farmers, artists, women and spiritual scholars.
Around 1,400 participants from Tamil Nadu, divided into seven groups of approximately 200 each, will undertake an eight-day programme featuring four days of travel and four days of visits and structured engagements in Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya.
Key initiatives include a nationwide student engagement programme across 1,000 higher education institutions, interactive sessions in schools and colleges in Varanasi, and technology-enabled outreach to make the Thirukkural accessible to wider audiences.
Organised by the Union Ministry of Education in collaboration with IIT Madras, Banaras Hindu University and other institutions and government departments, the event was first held in 2022.
Interested applicants can register through the official portal, https://kashitamil.iitm.ac.in/, from October 22 to November 13. Applications are invited under seven categories: students; teachers; writers and media professionals; agriculture and allied sectors; professionals and artisans; women; and spiritual leaders.
