- The fifth edition will be held from November 28 to December 12, 2026, under the theme ‘Thirukkural Payilvom – Thirukkural Abhyas Karen’, with around 1,400 participants from Tamil Nadu.
Varanasi : A high-level meeting was held at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, on November 3, 2026, to review preparations and inter-agency coordination for the fifth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS 5.0). The meeting was chaired by Smt. Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, Secretary, Department of Higher Education.
The programme is scheduled to take place from November 28 to December 12, 2026, under the theme ‘Thirukkural Payilvom – Thirukkural Abhyas Karen’. The initiative aims to bring the ethical and moral teachings of the classical Tamil text Thirukkural closer to young people and learners across India.
Senior Officials Review KTS 5.0 Preparations
The meeting was attended by BHU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, Additional Chief Secretary (Higher Education), Uttar Pradesh Government, Shri Amit Kumar Ghosh, and senior officials from the Union Ministry of Education, Uttar Pradesh Government, district administration, BHU and Indian Railways.
Discussions covered inter-departmental coordination, district-level administrative arrangements, dedicated rail transport through IRCTC and other logistics, infrastructure, exhibitions, excursions and cultural programmes.
Senior Ministry officials also visited venues, including Namo Ghat, to assess operational readiness for the event.
Around 1,400 Participants from Tamil Nadu to Take Part
Around 1,400 participants from Tamil Nadu are expected to participate in KTS 5.0. They will be organised into seven groups, with approximately 200 participants in each group.
Each group will undertake an eight-day journey comprising four days of travel and four days of visits and structured programmes. The itinerary will cover:
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Varanasi
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Prayagraj
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Ayodhya
Participants will take part in cultural, academic, domain-specific and spiritual activities during the programme.
Tamil Teachers to Introduce Thirukkural in Uttar Pradesh Institutions
As part of KTS 5.0, 50 teachers from Tamil Nadu will visit Uttar Pradesh and teach Thirukkural in schools and colleges.
The initiative is intended to familiarise students with the classical Tamil text and its ethical and moral teachings, while encouraging cultural and educational interaction between Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
Student Engagement Programme Across 1,000 Higher Education Institutions
A nationwide Students’ Engagement Programme will also be conducted through 1,000 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
The programme will promote wider understanding of Thirukkural among students from different academic disciplines and linguistic backgrounds. Activities will include structured study, research and campus-based engagements focused on disseminating the text's teachings and values.
KTS 5.0 Registration Portal Launched
The web portal and delegate registration process for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 were inaugurated by Union Minister for Education Shri Pralhad Joshi on October 22, 2026.
Further information about the programme and registration is available on the official portal: https://www.kts.cict.in/
Institutions Coordinating the Programme
The Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), Chennai, is leading digital outreach, publications and institutional engagements.
IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University are serving as the nodal coordinating institutions for Tamil Nadu and Kashi, respectively.
Through cultural exchanges, educational activities and visits to important destinations, Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 seeks to strengthen connections between Tamil Nadu and the Kashi region while introducing younger generations to the literary and ethical heritage of the Thirukkural.
FAQs
1. When will Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 be held?
Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 is scheduled from November 28 to December 12, 2026.
2. What is the theme of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0?
The theme is ‘Thirukkural Payilvom – Thirukkural Abhyas Karen’, focusing on the teachings and values of the classical Tamil text Thirukkural.
3. How many participants from Tamil Nadu are expected?
Around 1,400 participants from Tamil Nadu are expected to take part, organised into seven groups of approximately 200 people each.
4. Which cities will participants visit?
The itinerary includes Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya.
5. How long will each group's journey last?
Each group will undertake an eight-day journey, including four days of travel and four days of visits and structured programmes.
6. How many teachers from Tamil Nadu will participate?
A total of 50 teachers from Tamil Nadu will visit Uttar Pradesh to teach Thirukkural in schools and colleges.
7. How many higher education institutions will participate in the student engagement programme?
The nationwide Students’ Engagement Programme will involve 1,000 Higher Education Institutions.
8. Where can people find information about Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0?
Details are available on the official portal: https://www.kts.cict.in/
9. Which institutions are coordinating Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0?
IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University are the nodal coordinating institutions for Tamil Nadu and Kashi, respectively. The Central Institute of Classical Tamil is leading digital outreach, publications and institutional engagements.
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