The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) celebrated the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026 with large-scale participation across the country, reinforcing the government’s commitment to promoting holistic health, wellness, and preventive healthcare through yoga.
The nationwide observance was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who participated in the main International Day of Yoga event in Kolkata and highlighted the significance of this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”
Addressing thousands of participants, the Prime Minister emphasized that yoga is much more than a physical exercise and transcends age barriers. He described yoga as a source of consciousness, vitality, and inner energy that enriches every stage of life.
Highlighting the transformative benefits of yoga, PM Modi said that healthy ageing is not merely about adding years to life but about enhancing vitality, purpose, and overall well-being. He noted that yoga empowers individuals to continue striving for growth and self-improvement throughout their lives.
The Prime Minister said that people should aspire to be more flexible at 40 than they were at 20, more energetic at 50 than at 30, and more resilient to lifestyle-related diseases at 70 than they were at 50. He said yoga provides the discipline, strength, and balance necessary to achieve these goals while nurturing physical fitness, mental clarity, and emotional well-being.
Calling upon citizens to embrace yoga as a lifelong practice, PM Modi said its benefits extend beyond personal wellness and contribute to building a healthier, more conscious, and harmonious society.
As part of the nationwide celebrations, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda led a mass yoga session at Shantipath in New Delhi, joined by healthcare professionals, officials, volunteers, and members of the public.
Extending his greetings on the occasion, Nadda said yoga, one of India’s most enduring civilisational gifts, has evolved into a global movement for health and well-being under PM Modi’s leadership.
Recalling the Prime Minister’s 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly, Nadda noted that India’s proposal led to the adoption of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations. Today, nearly 190 countries participate in the annual observance, making it one of the world’s most widely celebrated global initiatives.
Referring to this year’s theme, the Health Minister said yoga offers a holistic pathway to healthy and active ageing by promoting physical fitness, mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall wellness. He stressed that yoga is not merely a form of exercise but a way of life that helps establish harmony between the mind, body, and soul.
Nadda also urged citizens to incorporate yoga into their daily routines, describing it as a lifelong practice that enhances longevity, improves quality of life, and strengthens resilience against physical and mental health challenges.
The Ministry also organised a special yoga session at Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi under the leadership of Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava. Officials and staff members participated enthusiastically and reaffirmed their commitment to integrating yoga into their daily lives.
Highlighting the scale of this year’s celebrations, Srivastava said yoga sessions were organised through more than 1.87 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country, enabling millions of citizens to participate in the observance and benefit from the practice.
She reiterated that yoga serves as a powerful tool for promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, and holistic health for people of all age groups, while also emerging as a key pillar of preventive healthcare.
Observed annually on June 21 since the United Nations adopted India’s proposal in 2014, the International Day of Yoga has grown into a global movement. This year’s celebrations once again witnessed widespread participation across India and around the world, underscoring yoga’s role in fostering healthier lifestyles and overall well-being.
