Preparations on for International Day of Yoga with Pan-Ministerial Strategy Meet

In the lead-up to the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY), an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) convened at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi to strategize preparations for the global celebration of wellness. The high-level meeting, chaired by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, underscored a Whole-of-Government approach in delivering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of universal yoga outreach.

Image Source: Indian Embassy in Japan

Calling yoga a “movement that unites ministries, institutions, and citizens,” Jadhav shared that over 250 events have already been held globally since March 13, along with 76 daily countdown events reflecting growing global engagement. 

He thanked Yoga Gurus for shaping the Common Yoga Protocol and encouraged participation in the flagship initiative, Yoga Sangam, where over 1 lakh events are scheduled on 21 June 2025. The national celebration will be led by the Prime Minister from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

In his welcome address, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, emphasized that IDY has evolved into a global wellness movement, with more than 24 crore participants in IDY 2024 across India alone. 

The 2025 edition, themed “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, aligns with WHO’s global wellness call of “One World, One Health.” The Secretary reiterated India’s appeal for global participation, referencing the Prime Minister’s address at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

A detailed presentation by the OSD – IDY Coordination outlined ongoing preparations, including digital campaigns like the ‘Yoga Unplugged’ series on MyGov, and partnerships with the Ministries of Tourism and Culture to host events at 150 iconic heritage sites. Notably, the main event in Visakhapatnam is expected to draw over 5 lakh participants.

Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, summed it up: “International Day of Yoga is not just an event—it’s a celebration of India’s timeless gift to the world. Our focus this year is deeper engagement, wider outreach, and lasting impact.”

The meeting concluded with a unified call for action from all ministries and institutions to elevate IDY 2025 to unprecedented heights, reaffirming India's leadership in promoting global health and holistic well-being.