Ministry of Education to Organise Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 From 2 December 2025
The Ministry of Education will conduct the fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 from 2 December 2025 to highlight the civilizational relationship between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. The initiative, guided by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, continues to recognise cultural, linguistic and people-to-people linkages in alignment with the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat.
Coordination and Institutional Support
The programme is being coordinated by IIT Madras and BHU Varanasi with support from the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Since its launch in 2022, the Kashi Tamil Sangamam has seen extensive public participation and has become a cultural connection between two longstanding knowledge traditions. Building on the first three editions, the upcoming programme aims to further expand learning exchanges, cultural engagement, academic activities and youth involvement.
Theme for 2025
The theme for the 2025 edition is titled “Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam”, which focuses on encouraging Tamil learning across the country and promoting wider understanding of India’s classical linguistic and literary heritage.
Delegates and Activities
More than 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu will take part in seven categories that include students, teachers, writers and media professionals, agriculture and allied sectors, professionals and artisans, women and spiritual scholars and practitioners. Participants will undertake an 8-day experiential tour covering Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya. The programme will feature interactions, seminars, cultural events and opportunities to experience local cuisine, handicrafts and heritage.
Delegates will also be taken to Tamil heritage locations in Varanasi, such as the ancestral home of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharatiyar, Kedar Ghat, the Kasi Madam in the Little Tamil Nadu area, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Mata Annapurna Temple. An academic interaction will be held at the Tamil Department of Banaras Hindu University.
Major Initiatives Under KTS 4.0
Sage Agasthya Vehicle Expedition
The Sage Agasthya Vehicle Expedition will trace historic cultural routes from Tenkasi beginning on 2 December 2025 and conclude in Kashi on 10 December 2025. The journey reflects the efforts of the Pandiyan ruler Shri Adi Veera Parakrama Pandiyan, who travelled from Tamil Nadu to Kashi to promote the message of cultural unity and established a temple to Lord Shiva, leading to the naming of Tenkasi (Dakshin Kashi). The expedition will showcase civilizational connections spanning the Chera, Chola, Pandya, Pallava, Chalukya and Vijayanagara periods and promote awareness of classical Tamil literature, Siddha medicine and shared heritage.
Teaching Tamil in Schools of Varanasi
Under the Tamil Karkalam campaign, 50 Hindi-knowing Tamil teachers will teach Tamil to school students in Kashi.
Tamil Learning Study Tours for Students of Uttar Pradesh
A total of 300 college students from Kashi will visit selected institutions in Tamil Nadu for a 15-day Tamil learning programme. CICT Chennai will offer orientation and learning materials, while host institutions will conduct academic and cultural tours focusing on Tamil Nadu’s traditions, heritage and historic links with Kashi. The visiting students will be received in Chennai.
Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 reflects the Government of India’s continued commitment to promoting cultural exchange, linguistic awareness and knowledge-sharing while strengthening national unity.
Registration Details
Two dedicated registration portals have been introduced for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0. For participation in all other categories, the portal at https://kashitamil.iitm.ac.in/ is open. The registration process will close at 8:00 PM on 21 November 2025, and the Selection Quiz will be held on 23 November 2025 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The second portal, https://kashitamil.bhu.edu.in/, is meant for selecting 300 students who will travel to Tamil Nadu for a 15-day educational programme scheduled for the third week of December 2025.