Colleges and universities in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have an opportunity to join a nationwide student research and cultural learning programme, with institutional registrations open until November 15.
Under the Students’ Engagement Programme of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0, 23 higher education institutions are to be selected from Telangana and 50 from Andhra Pradesh. The initiative, coordinated by the Union Ministry of Education and implemented through the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, will focus on the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil work known for its reflections on ethics and everyday life.
The University of Hyderabad is the nodal institution for Telangana, while the Central University of Andhra Pradesh is coordinating the process in Andhra Pradesh. Colleges and universities across central, state and private sectors can register their interest. Registration does not automatically mean selection.
The revised programme timeline was communicated in a Ministry of Education letter dated October 31, 2026, following the national launch of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 registration on October 22. Nodal institutions are scheduled to scrutinise applications and select participating institutions on November 16 and 17.
Each selected institution will assess interested students by November 19 and nominate one student on merit by November 20. Across India, the student engagement programme is designed to involve 1,000 institutions and 1,000 nominated students.
Also Read:- IIT Bombay Takes Startup Support Beyond Campus, Begins National Incubation Network in Nagpur
Eligible selected students can receive a stipend of ₹10,000, subject to completing the prescribed academic work and verification requirements. The programme includes guided study, a four-to-five-page original article or research note and a presentation at the student’s institution. The structured academic engagement is scheduled from December 15, 2026, to January 14, 2027.
The wider Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 is scheduled from November 28 to December 12. Its theme, Thirukkural Payilvom, seeks to introduce students from different linguistic and academic backgrounds to the text and encourage them to explore its contemporary relevance.
For institutions in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the immediate step is to complete institutional registration before November 15 and prepare for the subsequent selection and student assessment stages. The opportunity is not a general cash scholarship for every applicant; the stipend applies only to eligible nominated students who meet programme conditions.
