Prelims - Practice Questions (1 topic, 3 questions, with answers and explanations) | News reference: 22 October 2026 | Published: 26 October 2026

Symbolic image made of a book, a lamp and imagined architecture representing Tirukkural study and the Kashi-Tamil cultural dialogue
Original symbolic image: pcsmantra.com

Why in the News

Union Minister Prahlad Joshi on 22 October 2026 launched the registration portal of the fifth edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) (PIB). The portal kashitamil.iitm.ac.in is hosted by IIT Madras. KTS 5.0 will run from 28 November to 12 December 2026; the theme is "Tirukkural Payilvom" (Let us practise the Tirukkural).

Registration and participants

  • Registration until 13 November 2026 in seven categories: students, teachers, writers-media professionals, agriculture-linked fields, professionals-artisans, women, spiritual leaders.
  • About 1,400 participants from Tamil Nadu (seven groups, ~200 each) will come on an eight-day visit - four days of travel, four days of cultural-educational programmes in Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya.
  • The first Kashi Tamil Sangamam was held in 2022.

Organisation structure and initiatives

Organiser: Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education) - with the cooperation of IIT Madras, BHU, the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT, Chennai), the Uttar Pradesh government and several Union ministries; linked to the spirit of "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat". Key initiatives: Tirukkural-study student programmes in 1,000 higher education institutions, expert sessions in Varanasi schools, and reading programmes of the NBT and the National e-Library.

Read the detailed analysis: Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 - full analysis.

What Is Kashi Tamil Sangamam?

Kashi Tamil Sangamam is a celebration of the centuries-old cultural and educational ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi (Varanasi), linked to the spirit of "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat". According to PIB, the first Sangamam was held in 2022, and this is the fifth edition (KTS 5.0). The organiser is the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education), with IIT Madras, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), Chennai, the Uttar Pradesh Government and several ministries of the Central Government associated.

The Theme This Time: Thirukkural

The theme of this edition is "Thirukkural Payilvom" (in English, "Let us practise the Thirukkural"). The Thirukkural is a classical Tamil text on ethics and conduct. According to PIB, the aim is to take its universal values to youth and students. Under it, a students' engagement programme will run across 1,000 higher education institutions in the country. Thirukkural experts will interact with students in schools and colleges in Varanasi, and the National Book Trust will hold sessions on reading habits.

Who Can Apply, When and How?

Applications are being taken from 22 October 2026 to 13 November 2026 on the official portal kashitamil.iitm.ac.in (spelling as per PIB). There are seven categories: students, teachers, writers and media professionals, agriculture and allied sectors, professionals and artisans, women, and spiritual leaders. According to PIB, applicants from Tamil Nadu are invited, especially youth and students.

Nature of the Journey

About 1,400 participants will make an eight-day journey in seven groups (about 200 people in each group): four days of travel and four days of programmes. The route includes Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya, where there will be cultural, educational and spiritual programmes.

How Can It Be Asked in the Exam?

  • Remember the dates separately: the Sangamam is from 28 November to 12 December 2026; the last date of registration is 13 November 2026.
  • The organising ministry: the Ministry of Education, not the Ministry of Culture (the Ministry of Culture is among the associated departments).
  • 2022 is the first edition; this time it is the fifth.

Additional Sources

  1. PIB, 22 October 2026: Registration portal for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 launched

Prelims Practice Questions

Question 1. When will Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 be held?

(a) 26-27 October 2026

(b) 28 November to 12 December 2026

(c) 3-5 November 2026

(d) 1-15 January 2027

Answer and explanation

Answer: (b) 28 November to 12 December 2026. According to the Ministry of Education's release, the fifth edition begins on 28 November and runs until 12 December 2026; registration is open until 13 November 2026.

Question 2. In which year was the first edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam held?

(a) 2019

(b) 2020

(c) 2022

(d) 2024

Answer and explanation

Answer: (c) 2022. The Kashi Tamil Sangamam began in 2022; the 2026 event is the fifth edition.

Question 3. Which institution hosts the KTS 5.0 registration portal?

(a) Banaras Hindu University

(b) IIT Madras

(c) Central Institute of Classical Tamil, Chennai

(d) National e-Library

Answer and explanation

Answer: (b) IIT Madras. The portal kashitam.iitm.ac.in is hosted by IIT Madras; BHU and CICT are also partners in the event.

Sources and Limitations

  • PIB (Ministry of Education), 22 October 2026 (read): https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2326535
  • Limitations: The composer of the Tirukkural (Tiruvalluvar) is not mentioned in the release; noted as general background. The event is a future programme; details are release-based.

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