Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is all set to help organise the fourth edition of the ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS 4.0)’, an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

It will celebrate the timeless civilizational connect between Tamil Nadu and Kashi (Varanasi). The event will be held from 2nd December 2025, culminating with a grand finale in Rameshwaram.

This year’s major highlights include the Valedictory Function at Rameswaram, marking the grand culmination of the event and the launch of new initiatives — “Tamil Karpom,” enabling students from North India to learn Tamil in Tamil Nadu.

Building upon the success of previous editions, Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 aims to revitalise and strengthen the cultural, linguistic, and intellectual ties between the two ancient centres of learning — Tamil Nadu and Kashi — as a part of the ongoing journey to rediscover India’s shared heritage and cultural unity. IIT Madras is the Knowledge Partner for the event

As in previous editions, IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) will serve as the nodal institutions for implementing Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and several Central Ministries, including Culture, Railways, Textiles, and Tourism.

Registrations for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 are now open to the public. Those interested in being part of this sacred cultural journey can register at https://kashitamil.iitm.ac.in

Welcoming the public to register for the event, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “The theme for this year’s edition is ‘Karpom Tamil (Let us Learn Tamil)’. This initiative seeks to spread awareness about the richness of the Tamil language, across the country.

Prof. V. Kamakoti added, “As part of the programme, Tamil language learning sessions will be organised for students and youth in Kashi. Additionally, Agasthya Expedition has been planned from Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, emphasising the contributions made by Sage Agasthyar, by following the trail of the Sage.”

Further, awareness will also be created about the benefits of the Indian System of Siddha Medicine. The Classical texts and ancient places will also be highlighted through messages on Digital Boards deployed in a decorated car at designated places in Indian Languages.

IIT Madras will lead the development of the official KTS website, registration, and selection process for delegates and will manage the end-to-end planning and logistics — including travel, accommodation, food, and visits to significant cultural sites — in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways.

PARTICIPATION AND ACTIVITIES

Over 1,500 delegates from Tamil Nadu will participate across the following seven diverse categories will be taking part.

1. Students (Colleges, Technical & Skill Institutions)
2. Teachers (Colleges, Schools, Retired/Working, Hindi Pracharaks)
3. Writers & Media (Book Publishers, Content Writers, Editors, Social Media)
4. Agri & Allied (Agriculture Students, Farmers, Animal Husbandry, Artisans)
5. Professionals & Artisans (Entrepreneurs, Start-ups, Medicine, Law, Accounts, Handicrafts)
6. Women (SHG, Mudra Loan, Central Govt Scheme Beneficiaries, Self Employed)
7. Spiritual (Classical Singers, Spiritual Teachers, Temple Pujaris & Workers)

In addition, around 300 students from Uttar Pradesh and Varanasi will travel to Tamil Nadu for Tamil language orientation sessions at the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) and other designated colleges.

Various seminars, competitions, and cultural programs will also be conducted across Tamil Nadu, major Indian cities, and abroad to spread awareness of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam initiative.

The Kashi Tamil Sangamam continues to be a shining example of India’s Unity in Diversity, reaffirming the shared cultural ethos that binds the nation together across languages, regions, and traditions.