The Ministry of Education will organise the fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS 4.0) beginning December 2, 2025, to celebrate the deep civilizational bonds between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.
Inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the initiative continues to honour cultural, linguistic, and people-to-people linkages between the two regions, reflecting the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Coordinated Effort
The programme is being coordinated by IIT Madras and BHU Varanasi, with support from multiple ministries, including Culture, Information & Broadcasting, Tourism, Textiles, Food Processing Industries, MSME, Skill Development, IRCTC, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Theme for 2025
KTS 4.0 will be organised around the theme “Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam”, aiming to promote Tamil learning across India and foster wider appreciation for India’s classical linguistic and literary heritage.
Participation
More than 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu will take part under seven categories:
- Students
- Teachers
- Writers & Media Professionals
- Agriculture & Allied Sectors
- Professionals & Artisans
- Women
- Spiritual Scholars and Practitioners
Delegates will undertake an 8-day experiential tour covering Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya. They will participate in seminars, cultural performances, and explore local cuisine, handicrafts, and heritage. Visits will include Tamil heritage sites in Varanasi such as the ancestral house of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharatiyar, Kedar Ghat, Kasi Madam, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and Mata Annapurna Temple. Academic interactions will also be held at the Tamil Department of BHU.
Major Initiatives
- Sage Agasthya Vehicle Expedition: Beginning in Tenkasi on December 2 and culminating in Kashi on December 10, this expedition will trace ancient cultural routes and highlight civilizational linkages from the Chera, Chola, Pandya, Pallava, Chalukya, and Vijayanagara periods.
- Teaching Tamil in Varanasi Schools: Fifty Hindi-knowing Tamil teachers will teach Tamil to school students under the “Tamil Karkalam” campaign.
- Tamil Learning Study Tours: Three hundred college students from Kashi will travel to Tamil Nadu for a 15-day programme, with orientation provided by CICT Chennai and host institutions organising cultural tours.
Registration
Two portals have been launched for registrations:
- General categories: kashitamil.iitm.ac.in
- Student immersion programme: kashitamil.bhu.edu.in
The registration window closed on November 21, 2025, with a Selection Quiz held on November 23.
