• Haryana CM Saini announced major yoga initiatives on International Yoga Day.
  • Yoga education for classes III to IX, HSSC/HPSC exams to include yoga questions.
  • State Naturopathy/Yoga Institute established in Morni; Sports Depts renamed Sports/Yoga.
*Yoga to become part of school curriculum for classes III to IX *

*Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announces major initiatives to promote yoga across Haryana on International Yoga Day*

*State-Level Institute of Naturopathy and Yoga to be established in Morni*

*Yoga-related questions to be included in HSSC and HPSC examinations*

*Collective singing of the State song during morning assemblies to be ensured in government schools*

Chandigarh, June 21: On the occasion of the 12th International Yoga Day 2026, Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini made several significant announcements during the state-level Yoga Day celebration held in Panchkula. The initiatives are aimed at transforming yoga into a mass movement and encouraging healthy, balanced lifestyles among students and youth.

The Chief Minister announced that yoga education will be introduced in the curriculum for students of Classes III to IX from the upcoming academic session. This initiative is expected to contribute to the physical, mental, and emotional development of students while instilling healthy habits from an early age.

The Chief Minister further announced that, to promote yoga and yoga education on a sustained basis across schools in the state, specialized training in yoga asanas will be imparted to all PTIs, D.P.Ed. teachers, PGTs, and designated PRTs. This initiative will ensure that students in every school are able to practice yoga regularly under trained guidance.

He also announced that questions related to yoga will be made a mandatory component of all examinations conducted by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) and the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC). Necessary amendments to the examination policy will be introduced to implement this provision.

In another major announcement, the Chief Minister said that a state-level Institute of Naturopathy and Yoga will be established in Morni, where undergraduate-level courses in these disciplines will be offered. He further stated that yoga will be incorporated as a key component in the five Centres of Excellence being established across various universities in the state, thereby strengthening yoga education, training, research, and innovation within the higher education system.

To institutionalize the promotion of yoga, the Chief Minister announced that the Sports Departments of all higher education institutions in Haryana will be renamed as “Departments of Sports and Yoga,” ensuring yoga receives due recognition and a prominent place within academic institutions.

He further stated that Yogasana will be included as a sports discipline under the state's sports policy, and the necessary amendments to the policy will be made to facilitate its implementation.

Sh Nayab Singh Saini announced that elements of the Ayurveda curriculum would be integrated into the yoga curriculum to promote a holistic approach to health and wellness. He further stated that appointments to the previously sanctioned vacant posts of AYUSH Yoga Coaches and Yoga Instructors would be made at the earliest.

The Chief Minister also announced that the collective singing of the state song during morning assemblies in all government schools across Haryana would be ensured. This initiative aims to instill a sense of pride in the state, discipline, national consciousness, and cultural values among students.

He emphasized that these initiatives would help establish yoga not merely as a form of physical exercise, but as a scientific, time-tested way of life that contributes to the overall well-being of individuals and society.

Dignitaries present on the occasion included Haryana Health and AYUSH Minister Kumari Arti Singh Rao, former Speaker of the Haryana Legislative Assembly Sh Gian Chand Gupta, District President Sh Ajay Mittal, State Vice President Smt. Banto Kataria, Chairman of the Haryana Yog Aayog Dr. Jaideep Arya, Chairman of the Haryana Vimukt Ghumantu Jati Vikas Board Sh Jasmer Singh Banjara, Vice Chairman of the Shivalik Development Board Sh Omprakash Devinagar; Additional Chief Secretary, Health Smt. Sumita Misra, Director General AYUSH Sh Sanjeev Verma; ADGP CID Sh Saurav Singh, Commissioner of Police Sh Pankaj Nain, Deputy Commissioner Sh Satpal Sharma and Political Secretary to Chief Minister Sh Tarun Bhandari among others.

IPRDH/2026


*Panchkula immersed in the spirit of Yoga; Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini performs Yoga with thousands at State-Level International Yoga Day Celebration*

*Message of Yoga resonates from Panchkula to the World; Youth from 16 countries add international dimension to the State-Level event*

*Yoga transcends borders, languages, and cultures to unite humanity: Chief Minister*

*International Yoga Day has evolved into a global mass movement under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi: Sh. Nayab Singh Saini*

*Chief Minister launches ‘Vriddh Seva evam Swasthya Portal’ and ‘Sanjeevani Yoga Programme’*

*Sh Nayab Singh Saini releases book ‘Yogarsi–Yoganighantuh’, authored by Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev*

Chandigarh, June 21: On the occasion of the 12th International Yoga Day, Panchkula resonated with the spirit of yoga as Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini joined thousands of citizens in a mass yoga session during the State level Yoga Day celebrations at the Parade Ground in Sector-5. Calling for yoga to become an integral part of every individual's life, he emphasized that it is the key to building a healthy body, a healthy mind, and a healthy society.

The event assumed a unique international dimension with the enthusiastic participation of hundreds of youth from 16 friendly countries currently pursuing studies and employment opportunities in Haryana.

Haryana Health and AYUSH Minister Kumari Arti Singh Rao was also present on the occasion. Prior to the yoga session, the Chief Minister planted a sapling within the Parade Ground complex, giving further momentum to the ‘Harit Yoga Abhiyan’. He also went around an exhibition set up by the Haryana Yog Aayog, Patanjali Yoga Sansthan, Bharatiya Yoga Sansthan, and Energetic Yoga Sansthan.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that under the visionary leadership and inspiration of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, International Yoga Day has evolved into a global mass movement. He described it as a celebration of the Sanatan philosophy, rooted in the timeless principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam , and a manifestation of the collective vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

The Chief Minister remarked that the world has truly evolved into a global village, and in such times, yoga has emerged as a powerful force for uniting humanity. Expressing his delight, he said that the International Yoga Day celebration on the sacred soil of Panchkula witnessed the enthusiastic participation of hundreds of young people from 16 friendly countries - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Eswatini, Gambia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe-who are studying and working in Haryana. He said that their presence reflected the timeless Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and demonstrated yoga’s unique ability to bring people together beyond geographical boundaries, languages, and cultures.

The Chief Minister further stated that it is a matter of immense pride that the entire world today recognizes and celebrates this priceless heritage of India. He said that yoga, bestowed upon humanity by India’s sages and seers through their penance, spiritual discipline, and profound wisdom, has now reached every corner of the globe. From the platform of the United Nations to countries across continents, yoga has gained universal acceptance as a pathway to holistic well-being.

Referring to this year’s International Yoga Day theme, ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing,’ he said that it is especially relevant in the present era, as the global population of elderly people continues to grow. Yoga plays a crucial role in helping individuals remain healthy, active, self-reliant, and mentally resilient throughout their lives, thereby contributing to a better quality of life in old age.

The Chief Minister observed that the world today is facing a growing burden of mental stress and lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart ailments, and obesity. He said that thousands of years ago, India’s sages and seers emphasized that a healthy mind resides in a healthy body - a principle that has now gained recognition from modern science as well. He further stated that numerous studies conducted across the world have demonstrated that regular yoga practice helps reduce stress, regulate blood pressure, strengthen immunity, improve mental well-being, and significantly enhance overall quality of life. Yoga, he added, offers a holistic approach to health and wellness, making it highly relevant in today’s fast-paced world.

The Chief Minister stated that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated to the world the immense value of Yoga and Pranayama in strengthening mental resilience and boosting self-confidence. At a time when uncertainty and fear had gripped societies across the globe, yoga emerged as a source of hope, inner strength, and emotional balance for millions of people.

He said that Haryana is widely recognized as the land of athletes, farmers, and brave soldiers. However, it is equally important for the state to emerge as a leader in promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle. With this objective, the double-engine government is making concerted efforts to take yoga to every section of society. Through schools, colleges, universities, AYUSH institutions, panchayats, and social organizations, yoga is being transformed into a mass movement across the state.

The Chief Minister made a special appeal to the youth, urging them not to compromise their health amid the fast-paced demands of modern life. He encouraged them to dedicate at least 30 minutes every day to the practice of yoga, emphasizing that it is an investment in both physical well-being and mental fitness.

Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that India is steadily advancing towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi. He emphasized that healthy citizens, a conscious society, and balanced life values are essential pillars for realizing the dream of a developed India. A nation blessed with healthy citizens becomes prosperous, while a nation empowered by energetic and capable youth is poised to lead the world. He said that India is committed to building such a strong and vibrant future.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister appealed to people to move beyond observing Yoga as a one-day event and instead embrace it as a way of life. He urged everyone to make yoga an integral part of their daily routine and contribute to the collective mission of building a developed India.

The Chief Minister also launched the Vriddh Seva evam Swasthya Portal and the Sanjeevani Yoga Programme. In addition, he released Yogmay Haryana, the quarterly magazine of the Haryana Yog Aayog, a booklet on the Common Yoga Protocol, and Yogarsi–Yoganighantuh, a book authored by Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev.

During the event, Dr. Jaideep Arya, Chairman of the Haryana Yog Aayog, led participants through the Common Yoga Protocol prescribed for International Yoga Day. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from personnel of the ITBP, CRPF, and Haryana Police, students of the National Institute of Ayurveda, Panchkula, and various schools and colleges, as well as members of the general public and representatives of several yoga organizations.

Addressing the gathering, Haryana Health and AYUSH Minister Kumari Arti Singh Rao said that Yoga, a timeless practice rooted in India's ancient heritage, is one of the country's most valuable contributions to humanity. She said that Yoga is no longer viewed merely as a form of physical exercise but has evolved into a holistic way of achieving good health, mental well-being, and a stress-free life.

She further said that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, Yoga has gained unprecedented global recognition and acceptance. As a result, millions of people across the world have embraced Yoga as an integral part of their daily lives, benefiting from its transformative impact on physical, mental, and emotional health.

Kumari Arti Singh Rao said that substance abuse, stress, and unhealthy lifestyles have emerged as major challenges facing society today. She said that Yoga offers an effective pathway to overcome these issues and lead a healthy, balanced, and fulfilling life. In this context, she emphasized that the resolve to build a ‘Yoga-Yukt, Nasha-Mukt Haryana’ is both timely and essential.

She expressed satisfaction that, under the leadership and guidance of Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini, the Haryana Government is making continuous efforts to take Yoga to every section of society. Concerted initiatives are being undertaken to transform Yoga into a mass movement through schools, colleges, universities, sports institutions, AYUSH centres, and village panchayats across the state.

Smt. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and AYUSH Department, said that the widespread enthusiasm and awareness surrounding the 12th International Yoga Day across the country, including Haryana, reflect the growing global acceptance of India's ancient wisdom and cultural heritage. She said that Yoga is not merely a one-day observance but a holistic way of life that promotes health, harmony, discipline, and overall well-being. She emphasized that, guided by this vision, the Haryana Government is committed to integrating Yoga into the daily lives of citizens rather than confining it to occasional events.

On this occasion, several dignitaries were present, including former Speaker of Haryana Vidhan Sabha Sh Gian Chand Gupta, District President Sh Ajay Mittal, State Vice President Smt. Banto Kataria, Chairman of the Haryana Vimukt Ghumantu Jati Vikas Board Sh Jasmer Singh Banjara, Vice Chairman of the Shivalik Development Board Sh Omprakash Devinagar, Director General of the AYUSH Department Sh Sanjeev Verma, ADGP, CID Sh Saurabh Singh, Commissioner of Police Sh Pankaj Nain, Deputy Commissioner Sh Satpal Sharma, and the Political Secretary to Chief Minister Sh Tarun Bhandari.