**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Ayush has launched the curtain-raiser for the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026, themed "Yoga for Healthy Ageing." The national celebration will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 21, 2026, at Kolkata’s historic Red Road. The initiative aims to promote global health and wellness through events at 2,500 international locations and 100 iconic domestic sites, following a record-breaking pre-event involving over four lakh participants.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Event Logistics and Leadership**
* **Main Event:** Scheduled for June 21, 2026, at Red Road, Kolkata, West Bengal.
* **National Leadership:** The event will be led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
* **Theme:** "Yoga for Healthy Ageing" (स्वस्थ आयु के लिए योग), focusing on physical health, mental well-being, and quality of life for an ageing global population.
**Global and National Scale**
* **International Outreach:** 210 Indian Missions abroad will organize events at nearly 2,500 locations worldwide in coordination with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
* **Domestic Celebrations:** The Ministry of Culture will host special events at 100 iconic locations across India to blend yoga traditions with national heritage.
* **World Record:** A new Guinness World Record was established on June 14, 2026, with more than four lakh participants joining a simultaneous nationwide live yoga session.
**Special Initiatives and Countdown**
* **Ganga Tat Yoga Yatra:** An ongoing "Gangotri to Gangasagar" initiative (June 13–20) connecting yoga with environmental stewardship and river culture.
* **Kolkata Lead-up Events:** Includes the "Doud se Dhyan" program (June 19) and "Vande Yogam" combined with West Bengal Day observances (June 20).
* **Countdown Milestones:** Formal countdown events were held at 100 days (New Delhi), 75 days (Lonar), 50 days (Hyderabad), and 25 days (Khajuraho).
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Ayush and Ministry of Culture**
**Impact:** These bodies are the primary architects of the national and international implementation strategy.
**Action Required:** Oversee the execution of 100 iconic domestic events and ensure the successful management of the main celebration in Kolkata.
**Indian Missions Abroad and ICCR**
**Impact:** Responsible for the global expansion of the movement across borders and cultures.
**Action Required:** Coordinate and facilitate yoga events at 2,500 locations worldwide to demonstrate the universal appeal of yoga.
**General Public / Citizens**
**Impact:** Individuals of all age groups are identified as the primary beneficiaries of yoga for health, dignity, and "Healthy Ageing."
**Action Required:** Actively participate in IDY 2026 celebrations and adopt yoga as a daily practice for a healthier life.
**Media Representatives**
**Impact:** Served as the primary audience for the curtain-raiser to ensure wide dissemination of the event's theme and scale.
**Action Required:** Report on the upcoming initiatives, the Guinness World Record achievement, and the specific health benefits of the 2026 theme.
Key Entities Referenced
International Day of Yoga (IDY): An annual global event adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to promote health and wellness, with the 12th edition in 2026 being the primary focus of the document.
Ministry of Ayush: The nodal ministry of the Government of India responsible for the implementation, coordination, and global outreach of the International Day of Yoga.
Yoga for Healthy Ageing: The official theme for IDY 2026, designated to address the challenges and opportunities of the ageing population through yoga.
Red Road, Kolkata, West Bengal: The central location designated for the national celebration of the 12th International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2026, led by the Prime Minister.
Gangotri to Gangasagar: Ganga Tat Yoga Yatra: A specific initiative organized from June 13 to 20 to connect yoga with environmental stewardship and river culture across multiple historical and religious sites.
AYUSH
Yoga for Healthy Ageing is a Global Call for
Health, Dignity and Well-being Across
Generations: Union Minister Shri Prataprao
Jadhav
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Lead Global Yoga
Movement From Kolkata on International Day of Yoga 2026
Kolkata’s Historic Red Road to Host 12th International Day Of
Yoga Celebrations On 21 June
Over 4 Lakh Participants Create Guinness World Record
ahead of IDY 2026; Celebrations Planned at 2,500 Locations
Worldwide
प्रव तथ: 15 JUN 2026 3:56PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Ayush today hosted the Curtain Raiser for the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) at the
National Media Centre, New Delhi. The event marked the formal commencement of the nationwide and
global celebrations leading up to International Day of Yoga 2026, which will culminate in the national
event to be led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 21 June at Kolkata, West Bengal.
Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of
State for Health & Family Welfare, addressed media representatives in the presence of Vaidya Rajesh
Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; Ms. Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; Shri
Satyajit Paul, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Ayush; and Shri Dhirendra Ojha, Principal Director
General, Press Information Bureau.
Speaking at the press conference, Shri Prataprao Jadhav said that the theme of IDY 2026, "Yoga for
Healthy Ageing" (स्वस्थ आयु के लए योग) addresses one of the most important challenges and opportunities
of the present century.
"Across the world, people are living longer than ever before. The real challenge, however, is to ensure that
these added years are healthy, active, independent and meaningful. Yoga offers a time-tested and holistic
pathway towards healthy ageing (स्वस्थ आय)ु by strengthening physical health, promoting mental well-
being and enhancing overall quality of life," the Minister said.
Reflecting on the remarkable journey of the International Day of Yoga since its inception, Shri Jadhav
noted that the adoption of India's proposal by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, under the
visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, transformed yoga from an Indian tradition
into a global movement for health and wellness."Today, yoga has transcended borders, cultures and languages. It has emerged as a shared global
movement that brings people together in the pursuit of health, harmony and well-being," the minister
remarked.
Highlighting the growing international outreach of the movement, the Minister informed that, in
coordination with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), more than 210 Indian Missions
abroad will organise International Day of Yoga events at nearly 2,500 locations across the world.
"This unprecedented participation demonstrates the universal appeal of yoga and its relevance in
addressing contemporary health challenges across societies," the minister said.
The Minister also announced a major milestone achieved in the run-up to IDY 2026. Referring to the
special nationwide live yoga session organised on 14 June, Shri Jadhav stated that more than four lakh
participants joined simultaneously, creating a new Guinness World Record.
"This achievement reflects the extraordinary enthusiasm of people towards yoga and demonstrates how
public participation in the movement continues to reach new heights every year," the minister added.
Shri Jadhav further informed that the Ministry of Culture will organise special International Day of Yoga
events at 100 iconic locations across the country, bringing together India's rich cultural heritage and
yoga traditions.
"This initiative will create a unique convergence of wellness, culture and national pride, transforming
International Day of Yoga into a celebration that resonates across generations and geographies," the
minister said.
The Minister announced that the main national celebration of International Day of Yoga 2026 will be held
on 21 June at Kolkata's historic Red Road under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He
also highlighted the successful organisation of countdown events held over the past few months, including
the 100-day countdown in New Delhi, the 75-day event at Lonar in Maharashtra, the 50-day programme at
Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad and the 25-day countdown celebration at Khajuraho.
Shri Jadhav further highlighted the ongoing "Gangotri to Gangasagar: Ganga Tat Yoga Yatra" being
organised from 13 to 20 June. Covering locations including Gangotri, Haridwar, Varanasi, Patna, Hooghly
and Gangasagar, the initiative seeks to connect yoga with environmental stewardship, river culture and
community participation.
The Minister also informed that Kolkata will host a series of special programmes ahead of the main event.
On 19 June, the city will witness the "Doud se Dhyan" programme promoting the link between physical
fitness and mental wellness. On 20 June, celebrations including "Vande Yogam" and West Bengal Day
observances will showcase the harmonious blend of yoga, patriotism and cultural heritage.
Calling upon citizens to actively participate in the celebrations, Shri Jadhav said, "Yoga is one of India's
greatest contributions to humanity. I urge people of all age groups to join the International Day of Yoga
2026 celebrations and embrace yoga as a daily practice for a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life."
Earlier, Shri Dhirendra Ojha, Principal Director General, PIB, welcomed the dignitaries and members of
the media. Ms. Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, made a detailed presentation outlining
the theme, major initiatives and implementation strategy for IDY 2026. A special film on the International
Day of Yoga was also screened during the programme.
The press conference concluded with an interactive session during which Shri Prataprao Jadhav responded
to questions from media representatives on the theme of healthy ageing (स्वस्थ आय)ु , preparations for the
national event in Kolkata, global participation, the Guinness World Record achievement and various
initiatives planned in the run-up to International Day of Yoga 2026.***
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