Parliament Question: Promotion of Yoga

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 974 ANSWERED ON 24/07/2026 Promotion of Yoga 974. Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad: Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note of the increasing global acceptance of Yoga as an effective tool for promoting health, wellness and mental well-being, if so, the details thereof; (b) the steps taken by the Government to strengthen the practice and awareness of Yoga in Maharashtra, particularly in schools, colleges, workplaces and rural areas; (c) whether any financial assistance or support has been provided to Yoga institutions, wellness centres and AYUSH facilities in Maharashtra during the last three years, if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government proposes to promote Yoga tourism and organize international- level Yoga events and training programmes in Maharashtra to attract visitors and generate employment, if so, the details thereof; and (e) the details of programmes undertaken in Maharashtra to encourage the adoption of Yoga for preventive healthcare and lifestyle disease management? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) The increasing international acceptance of Yoga, include the adoption of 21 June as the International Day of Yoga (IDY) by the United Nations in 2014 with the support of its Member States, and its observance across the world every year. Ministry of Ayush is promoting Yoga through international events, capacity-building programmes, academic collaborations, research initiatives, and cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), thereby enhancing its global outreach and acceptance. WHO Technical Report on Training in Yoga, jointly developed by WHO and the Ministry of Ayush, establishes international standards for Yoga training, enhancing the quality, credibility, and global integration of Yoga into healthcare. Ministry is also promoting the “Yoga 365” initiative to encourage daily adoption of Yoga beyond the annual observance of International Day of Yoga. The initiative aims to make Yoga accessible through technology-enabled platforms and home-based practice modules, enabling wider participation in daily Yoga practice. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2025 between the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) and the Mongolian Yoga Federation (MYF) outlines the establishment of an academic collaboration in Yoga. MoU signed in 2026 between the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) and the Association Reunionnaise des Relations et Creations Culturelles (ARRCC) aims to strengthen and further develop cooperation in the field of Yoga. MDNIY is a WHO Collaborating Centre for Medicine (Yoga) Traditional for 4th consecutive terms from 2013. 1(b) The Government of Maharashtra has undertaken various initiatives to strengthen the practice and awareness of Yoga across the State. Yoga activities are promoted through Ayush health facilities and wellness centres, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Ayush), Co- located Ayush Wings, Integrated Ayush Hospitals, Yoga and Naturopathy Colleges, Ayurved Colleges and Medical Colleges, through awareness and health-promotion activities conducted at community level. Yoga is also encouraged through educational institutions, workplaces and public awareness programmes, particularly on occasions such as the International Day of Yoga. Efforts are made to extend the benefits of Yoga to rural and underserved areas through the existing Ayush and public health delivery system. Also, a separate Yoga unit has been established in Govt. Medical Colleges in the state. Also, in several Government Meetings Y- Break sessions are taken. At all Government Ayurveda Colleges attached Hospitals Yoga and Swasth Rakshan OPD is fully functional and benefiting the community visiting there. To strengthen the practice and awareness of Yoga in Maharashtra, "International Yoga Day" is celebrated on a large scale across the Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Unani colleges and Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush), IAH and at Co-located Ayush Wings in the State of Maharashtra on June 21st annually including IDY countdown activities. (c) In Maharashtra State at 390 Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush) the Yoga Instructors (part time) are sanctioned and fund received statement of last 3 years is attached at Annexure-A. (d) and (e) Ministry of Ayush organizes the International Day of Yoga (IDY) every year and encourages States/UTs and other stakeholders to organize Yoga-related events. The Ministry also promotes Yoga through training programmes. Ministry promotes Yoga as an effective tool for preventive healthcare and management of lifestyle-related diseases through Celebration of International Day of Yoga (IDY), Dissemination and implementation of the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), Research, education and capacity-building activities undertaken by MDNIY and CCRYN, Public awareness initiatives highlighting the role of Yoga in preventive healthcare, holistic wellness and healthy lifestyle. Various programmes are undertaken in Maharashtra to encourage the adoption of Yoga for preventive healthcare and management of lifestyle-related disorders. Yoga is promoted as a complementary approach for improving physical fitness, reducing stress and supporting healthy lifestyle practices, particularly in relation to non- communicable and lifestyle-related diseases. Ayush Medical Officers and Yoga Instructors provide lifestyle counselling, Yoga-based interventions with tailor made Yoga, dietary advice based as per Ayurvedic/Yogic dietetics and evidence-based Ayush therapies for the management of chronic conditions such as Hypertension, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases, in accordance with the applicable clinical guidelines and protocols as a co-therapy with modern systems of medicines. ***** 2Annexure-A National Ayush Mission AAM Ayush- Yoga Instructor @ 8000/-pm Provisional Statement (Unaudited) (Rs. In Lakh) Approved Fund for Yoga Received Fund for Yoga SAAP Year Instructor Instructor 2023-24 374.40 253.98 2024-25 277.20 183.60 2025-26 134.82 134.82 3