International Yoga Day 2025: Schools, colleges organise mass sessions and awareness activities

June 21 marks the 11th International Day of Yoga since it was first observed in 2015. This year’s official theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” emphasises the link between personal well-being and environmental harmony. Educational institutions across the country are observing the day with mass yoga sessions, awareness drives and student engagement activities.

Educational institutions, including Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Indian Institute of Technology Patna (IIT Patna), National Institute of Technology Warangal (NIT Warangal), and Kendriya Vidyalayas are observing International Yoga Day with activities and yoga sessions on their campuses.

The ministry of education has reported that over 2.15 lakh schools have registered as event organisers on the Yoga Sangam portal. The celebrations are also being held at key heritage sites, including Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Mysore Palace and Somnathpura Temple in Karnataka, and the riverfront near Maa Samaleswari Temple in Odisha. Students, faculty members and local communities are participating in yoga demonstrations at these venues.

NCERT has also promoted the #GreenYoga initiative this year, encouraging activities such as tree plantation drives, yoga retreats in natural settings, and cleaning of water bodies and riverbanks.

Gold medallists to join PM Modi for Yoga session

Students from schools affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) performed at the NCERT National Yoga Olympiad 2025 held ahead of Yoga Day. They secured 20 medals—10 gold, six silver and four bronze—in both team and individual categories. Gold medal winners from the CISCE contingent have been invited to join a yoga session with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Olympiad was conducted from June 15 to June 18 at Sabhagriham Vivekananda Kendra in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu. It was organised by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with NCERT. The director of NCERT, Dinesh Prasad Saklani, attended as the chief guest.

Also read UP school merger ‘anti-education’, ‘will further marginalise weaker sections of society’

NCERT National Yoga Olympiad 2025: Medal-winning performances

At the NCERT National Yoga Olympiad 2025, students are assessed across a range of yogic disciplines, including asanas, pranayama, kriya, dhyana and bandha. The event also includes creative expression through poetry, poster making and essay writing.