In September 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the United Nations General Assembly with a visionary proposal—to dedicate a day to celebrate Yoga as a universal practice of well-being. Responding to this call, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution 69/131 on December 11, 2014, proclaiming June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. The initiative was co-sponsored by 177 countries—a record in UN history—signifying the global resonance of India’s message. As PM Modi stated, “Yoga has the power to bring the entire humankind together.”

TOTAL WELLNESS: YOGA'S ALL-ROUND BENEFITS

Extensive global research confirms that yoga benefits the body, mind, and spirit.

• Physically, yoga enhances flexibility, strengthens muscles, improves posture, supports spinal health, and helps manage weight and blood pressure.

• Mentally, it activates the body’s relaxation response, reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing sleep quality and cognitive focus.

• Spiritually, yoga encourages mindfulness and self-awareness, helping practitioners reconnect with their inner self.

• Yoga has emerged as a holistic health system supported by governments, universities, and health bodies, including the WHO, as a non-invasive method to improve overall quality of life.

FROM RAJPATH TO THE WORLD: A GLOBAL INCEPTION

The first International Day of Yoga (IDY) was observed on June 21, 2015, and became a moment of collective global awakening. People from all walks of life came together—from Times Square in New York to the Eiffel Tower in Paris—practicing yoga in unison. In New Delhi, nearly 36,000 people joined PM Modi at Rajpath, creating a record-breaking display of harmony and wellness. Since then, the observance of IDY has become an annual global tradition, with over 240 million participants by 2025, showing how the ancient Indian discipline has

become a shared global practice of holistic health.

YOGA: A GLOBAL WELLNESS REVOLUTION

 Yoga, deeply rooted in India’s spiritual heritage, has transcended borders as a universal wellness practice. The World Health Organization recognizes yoga as a unique blend of physical, mental, and spiritual training. Across continents, it is now widely embraced for its scientifically proven benefits—including stress reduction, emotional stability, and improved physical health. Yoga fosters inner peace and resilience while helping build a more mindful and balanced society. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted, yoga “unites people with its values of balance, mindfulness, and peace with people and planet alike.”

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA 2025:

"YOGA FOR ONE EARTH, ONE HEALTH"

The theme of IDY 2025, underlines aligning yoga with global wellbeing agendas. The “timeless gift to humanity” that is yoga can continue to be India’s bridge to the world improving health, fostering cultural harmony and advancing peace. To mark the 11th edition of IDY, the Ministry of Ayush has announced 10 signature events that will shape this year’s celebrations:

Yoga Sangam

Fostering international partnerships through exchange programs between India and partner countries.

Yoga Bandhan

Development of dedicated yoga parks for long-term community engagement.

Yoga Parks

Inclusive yoga programs for children, seniors, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups.

Yoga Samavesh

A decadal impact study on yoga’s role in public health.

Yoga Prabhav

Youth-focused events to inspire the next generation to embrace yoga.

Yoga Unplugged

A virtual global yoga summit featuring renowned experts and healthcare professionals.

Yoga Connect

A week-long yoga festival across 10 cities, culminating in a grand celebration.

Yoga MahaKumbh

A 100-day campaign integrating yoga with modern healthcare systems for holistic wellness.

Samyoga

A sustainability initiative combining yoga with tree planting and environmental

clean-up drives.

INDIA'S SOFT POWER: A GLOBAL CULTURE OF WELLNESS

India’s promotion of yoga on the international stage is not just a cultural act, but a gesture of shared humanity and peace. Under PM Modi’s leadership, yoga has become an instrument of cultural diplomacy rooted in wellness and harmony. Leaders across the world have called yoga “India’s gift to the world”—a practice that enriches lives and connects civilizations. Far from commercialization, India’s effort is aimed at making wellness accessible and universal. As PM Modi observed, global leaders now ask about yoga not as a trend, but as a tool for balanced living and collective well-being.

YOGA FOR ALL: INDIA'S DOMESTIC MISSION

Within India, the government has worked to mainstream yoga across communities, regions, and age groups. The Ministry of AYUSH developed the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP)—a standard set of 21 postures made available in 22 Indian languages and Braille. Campaigns like Yoga Mahotsav, 75-day countdown to IDY, and YogAndhra are engaging citizens from rural schools to urban workplaces. Educational institutions are introducing yoga under the National Education Policy, and organizations are implementing wellness hours. These efforts reflect India’s vision to build a national culture of daily wellness, where yoga is not an event, but a lifestyle.

YOGA WITHOUT BORDERS: A GLOBAL EMBRACE

India’s diplomatic community actively brings yoga to the world as a gesture of peace and wellbeing. Each year, 191 Indian embassies and consulates organize public yoga sessions in diverse locations—from Wuhan’s Yellow Crane Tower to Washington’s National Mall. India collaborates with UN institutions, foreign governments, and civil society to host yoga events, competitions, and training programs. Thousands of international yoga teachers have been trained and certified in India. These efforts underscore yoga’s role as a non-political, inclusive practice that resonates with all societies striving for health, harmony, and mutual respect.

RECOGNIZED AND CELEBRATED WORLDWIDE

Yoga and IDY have earned admiration and recognition from world leaders, institutions, and global citizens. UN Secretary-General António Guterres lauded yoga for its power to deliver “healing, inner peace, and well-being.” Countries like France, Australia, Brazil, and the UAE officially mark IDY with public messages and large-scale events. International media outlets, including TIME and Associated Press, report on the day as a unifying celebration of health and mindfulness. Health institutions such as WHO include IDY in their official calendar, linking it to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE: YOGA FOR ONE EARTH, ONE HEALTH

As the world celebrates a decade of International Yoga Day, India invites every nation, institution, and individual to make yoga a part of everyday life. With initiatives like Yoga Sangam and Yoga Unplugged, the aim is to involve communities, schools, youth groups, and workplaces in regular yoga practice. The 2025 theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” aligns yoga with a planetary wellness agenda. India envisions yoga as a global bridge to peace, preventive healthcare, and harmony among nations—a timeless gift from India to the world, offered with open arms for a better future.

Videsh Vibhag, Bharatiya Janata Party

6 - A, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi - 110002

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