Ministry Of Ayush Unveils Ambitious Global Initiatives To Make Yoga More Inclusive And Impactful.

New Delhi, Delhi, 13th of March 2025 : Yoga Mahotsav 2025, a curtain raiser to International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, was inaugurated by Shri Pratap Rao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Delhi today. To mark the 11^th edition of IDY, Shri Pratap Rao Jadhav also released 10 Unique Signature events, reinforcing India’s global leadership in Yoga.

Padmabhushan Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, Member of Parliament, Dharmadhikari, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, senior government officials, eminent Yoga Gurus, scientists and scholars were also present on the occasion.

The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, as the nodal ministry for IDY, has taken the lead in organising 10 successful editions of IDY, which have found great enthusiasm and worldwide support. Following the footprints, this year, Yoga Mahotsav-2025 is being organised to promote various dimensions of Yoga and to kindle a mass movement to promote health, well-being, and peace across the globe. It is worth mentioning that the 100-day countdown is an important event in the observation of IDY every year. The event formally marks the beginning of the journey towards 11^th IDY -2025.

While addressing the gathering, the Union Minister of State for Ayush Shri Prataprao Jadhav outlined the importance of Yoga and said, “From the past 10 years, under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we have celebrated this day as a grand festival. Yoga is not just a way of life but also a powerful means to maintain mental and physical well-being. Its unparalleled strength guided millions across the world to stay healthy and resilient during the challenging days of the lockdown.”

The Ayush Minister also released ‘The International Day of Yoga Handbook, 2025, Version 1.0’ in response to early public interest and demand from IDY event organisers for guidance to facilitate preparatory activities for the International Day of Yoga 2025.

Further, the Ayush Minister informed that this year IDY activities will revolve around 10 unique signature events to mark the 11^th edition of the global event, which makes it the most expansive and inclusive:

• Yoga Sangama – A synchronised Yoga demonstration at 10,000 locations, aiming for a world record.
• Yoga Bandhan – Global partnerships with 10 countries to host Yoga sessions at iconic landmarks.
• Yoga Parks– Development of 1,000 Yoga Parks for long-term community engagement.
• Yoga Samavesh – Special Yoga programs for Divyangjan, senior citizens, children, and marginalised groups.
• Yoga Prabhava – A decadal impact assessment on Yoga’s role in public health.
• Yoga Connect – A Virtual Global Yoga Summit featuring renowned Yoga experts and healthcare professionals.
• Harit Yoga – A sustainability-driven initiative combining Yoga with tree planting and clean-up drives.
• Yoga Unplugged– An event to attract young people to Yoga
• Yoga Maha Kumbh – A week-long festival across 10 locations, culminating in a central celebration led by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
• Samyogam – A 100-day initiative integrating Yoga with modern healthcare for holistic wellness.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, cited data from the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) and stated that in 2.5 crore households—approximately 8% of all households in the country—at least one member practices yoga. This strongly demonstrates yoga’s deep integration into public life.

The day began with a live demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) at 7 AM at the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), with the participation of over 1,000 Yoga enthusiasts. CYP is designed with input from experts as it comprises day-to-day yoga practice to reap all the benefits of yoga. The protocol is intended to popularise Yoga practices like Yoga Nidra, Pranayama, Dhyan, etc. Each Yogic activity is key to improving flexibility, strength, balance, and attaining harmony.

The one-day Yoga Mahotsav 2025 covered a range of activities, including three theme-based technical sessions on Science behind Common Yoga Protocol, Anti-Obesity Campaign: Role of Yoga and the Decadal Year of IDY Celebrations. These technical sessions featured eminent experts from the fields of Yoga, medicine, and scientific research and served as a crucial knowledge-sharing platform, reinforcing the scientific and therapeutic potential of Yoga while setting the stage for a grand and impactful International Day of Yoga 2025.

Yoga Mahotsav 2025 sets the stage for a revolution in health and well-being, with India leading the charge in making Yoga a way of life worldwide. Over the past decade, IDY has showcased India’s dedication to making Yoga a global phenomenon. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, IDY has evolved into a worldwide celebration of health, wellness, andunity.

Annexure

The International Day of Yoga (IDY) has become a global wellness movement, uniting millions across countries. Here’s a brief look at its key milestones:

• IDY 2015 – New Delhi: The first IDY at Rajpath saw 35,985 participants, setting two Guinness World Records.
• IDY 2016 – Chandigarh: 30,000+ participants gathered at Capitol Complex, including 150 Divyangjan performing Yoga Protocol for the first time. The Prime Minister emphasised Yoga’s role in treating ailments like diabetes.
• IDY 2017 – Lucknow: 51,000 participants joined at Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, with Yoga highlighted as affordable ‘health insurance’.
• IDY 2018 – Dehradun: 50,000+ participants at Forest Research Institute, with the theme “Yoga for Public Health”. ISRO launched BHUVAN-YOGA and Yoga Locator apps.
• IDY 2019 – Ranchi: Focused on ‘Yoga for Heart Care’, with eco-friendly Yoga accessories benefiting Khadi artisans.
• IDY 2020 – Virtual: Amid the pandemic, 12.06 crore people joined online. The “My Life, My Yoga” contest attracted entries from 130 countries.
• IDY 2021 – Virtual: Themed “Yoga for Wellness”, reaching 496.1 million people globally. Iconic celebrations occurred at Times Square, the Eiffel Tower, and Tokyo Skytree.
• IDY 2022 – Mysuru: 15,000 participants at Mysore Palace, with a ‘Guardian Ring’ global Yoga relay and VR-powered digital exhibition.
• IDY 2023 – Jabalpur & UN HQ, New York: With 23.44 crore participants, this IDY set two Guinness World Records, including the most significant Yoga session (1.53 lakh participants in Surat). The ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’ covered 35,000 km.
• IDY 2024 – Srinagar: Held at SKICC, Srinagar, with 7,000 participants braving the rain. The ‘Yoga for Space’ initiative saw ISRO scientists join in. A Guinness World Record was set in Uttar Pradesh, with 25.93 lakh people pledging to Yoga. 24.53 crore global participants marked this as a historic celebration.

From Rajpath to the United Nations, IDY has reinforced India’s leadership in global health and well-being. As the countdown to IDY 2025 begins, the Ministry of Ayush remains committed to spreading the message of Yoga across borders, inspiring millions to embrace this timeless practice for a healthier, happier world.

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