Context
The Prime Minister recently led the International Day of Yoga celebrations in Kolkata, emphasizing the discipline’s transition from an ancient tradition to the world’s largest collective community celebration. The event highlighted the role of yoga in fostering global unity, physical vitality, and mental resilience.
Key Highlights of International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026
- Theme for 2026: “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”. It explicitly aligns with the WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030).
- Yoga Sangam Initiative: A flagship national program connecting institutions through synchronized yoga sessions based on the standard Common Yoga Protocol (CYP).
Governance and Institutional Framework
- UNGA Resolution: Adopted on December 11, 2014, under the “Global Health and Foreign Policy” agenda.
- Significance of Date: June 21 marks the Summer Solstice (longest day in the Northern Hemisphere), mythologically associated with the dawn of Yogic science.
- Nodal Agency: The Ministry of Ayush coordinates all IDY celebrations and policy implementations in India.
- IDY Logo: Features folded hands (union of consciousness) with elements representing Earth (brown leaves), Nature (green leaves), Water (blue), Fire (brightness), and the Sun (energy)
Evolution of Yoga
- Philosophical Roots: Yoga is one of the six orthodox (Astika) schools of Indian philosophy (along with Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Mimamsa, and Vedanta).
- Etymology: Derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning to join or unite (individual consciousness with Universal Consciousness).
- Indus Valley Origin: The earliest historical evidence is the Pashupati Seal (c. 2700 B.C.), depicting figures in traditional yogic postures.
- Classical Development:
- Patanjali systematically compiled yogic knowledge, introducing Ashtanga Yoga (the Eight Limbs).
- The Bhagavad Gita categorizes paths to liberation into Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Karma Yoga.
- Medieval Texts: The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (15th Century CE) was authored by Yogi Swatmarama, focusing on physical preparation for higher meditation.
Strategic and Economic Initiatives
- Countering Dominance: India leverages Yoga and Ayurveda to strategically counterbalance China’s push for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
- Institutional Anchoring: The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine has been established in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
- Medical Value Travel (MVT): The Ministry of AYUSH executes the “Heal in India” blueprint to scale India’s wellness market, supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs via dedicated E-Tourist Visas.
With respect to the International Day of Yoga and its historical evolution, consider the following statements:
I. The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution to celebrate the International Day of Yoga under the "Global Health and Foreign Policy" agenda.
II. Yoga is recognized as one of the heterodox (Nastika) schools of ancient Indian philosophy.
III. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is the designated nodal agency for coordinating IDY celebrations in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) I and II only
(c) II and III only
(d) I, II, and III
Answer: a
Explanation:
Statement I is correct: In 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted an India-led resolution under the "Global Health and Foreign Policy" agenda to officially declare June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.
Statement II is incorrect: Yoga is classified as one of the six orthodox (Astika) schools of Indian philosophy, which accept the authority of the Vedas, alongside Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Mimamsa, and Vedanta.
Statement III is incorrect: The Ministry of Ayush is the apex nodal agency responsible for coordinating the International Day of Yoga celebrations and related wellness initiatives in India, not the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.