Ministry of Ayush Launches Yoga Park Portal Ahead of International Day of Yoga 2026

Summary

The Ministry of Ayush launched the Yoga Park Portal on June 17, 2026, as a nationwide digital platform aimed at transforming existing public parks across India into community wellness hubs focused on yoga, meditation, and preventive healthcare. The portal was launched during the International Day of Yoga 2026 countdown event held in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav. The initiative complements the revamped Yoga Sangam Portal and forms part of India's broader preventive healthcare strategy under Ayush.

Historical Background

The International Day of Yoga (IDY) is observed globally on June 21 every year. It was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 69th UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014, and was unanimously adopted. The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated on June 21, 2015. India has been celebrating IDY with large-scale mass yoga events every year, including the iconic event at Rajpath (now Kartavya Path) with thousands of participants and foreign dignitaries.

Key Features of the Yoga Park Portal

• Digital platform to register and convert existing public parks into yoga/wellness hubs
• Open to local bodies (municipalities, panchayats), NGOs, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and corporate entities
• Provides implementation guidelines, resources, and registration support
• Promotes preventive and holistic healthcare
• Complements the Yoga Sangam Portal (revamped)
• Aims to make yoga accessible at the grassroots level
• Launched at IDY 2026 countdown event in Khajuraho

About International Day of Yoga (IDY)

• Date: June 21 (annually)
• Proposed by: PM Narendra Modi at 69th UNGA on September 27, 2014
• First IDY: June 21, 2015
• UN adoption: December 11, 2014 (unanimous resolution)
• Record: In 2015, India set a Guinness World Record for the largest yoga session at Rajpath, New Delhi
• IDY 2026 venue: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Ministry of Ayush and its Scope

The Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy) was established as a separate ministry in November 2014. Before that, it was the Department of AYUSH under the Ministry of Health. Ayush promotes traditional medicine systems and preventive healthcare. Tamil Nadu has a strong Siddha medicine tradition and the National Institute of Siddha (NIS) is located in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Relevance

• Siddha Medicine — Classical South Indian medicine system unique to Tamil Nadu; originated in Tamil culture
• National Institute of Siddha (NIS): Chennai, Tamil Nadu — under Ministry of Ayush
• Tamil Nadu has dedicated Siddha hospitals and dispensaries under the state government
• Tamil Nadu AYUSH network contributes significantly to rural and preventive healthcare in the state

Important Acts and Schemes

• Yoga Park Portal (June 2026) — Convert parks into wellness hubs
• Yoga Sangam Portal — Digital platform for yoga resources
• National AYUSH Mission (NAM) — Mainstreaming AYUSH in healthcare
• PM Swasthya Suraksha Yojana — Strengthening healthcare infrastructure

Organisations and Headquarters

Exam-Oriented Notes

• International Day of Yoga: June 21
• Proposed at 69th UNGA: September 27, 2014
• First IDY: June 21, 2015
• Yoga Park Portal: Launched June 17, 2026 at Khajuraho
• Ministry of Ayush formed: November 2014
• NIS headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Siddha medicine: Tamil Nadu's traditional medicine system

MCQs

MCQ 1

When was the Yoga Park Portal launched and by which ministry?

• A) June 15, 2026 by Ministry of Health
• B) June 17, 2026 by Ministry of Ayush
• C) June 21, 2026 by Ministry of Culture
• D) June 16, 2026 by Ministry of Education

Answer: B) June 17, 2026 by Ministry of Ayush

Explanation: The Yoga Park Portal was launched on June 17, 2026 at the IDY 2026 countdown event in Khajuraho by MoS (IC) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav, under the Ministry of Ayush.

MCQ 2

Where is the National Institute of Siddha (NIS) located?

• A) Jaipur
• B) Hyderabad
• C) New Delhi
• D) Chennai

Answer: D) Chennai

Explanation: The National Institute of Siddha (NIS) is located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and operates under the Ministry of Ayush. Siddha is a classical South Indian medicine system with its roots in Tamil culture.

MCQ 3

At which session of the UN General Assembly did PM Modi propose the International Day of Yoga?

• A) 67th UNGA
• B) 68th UNGA
• C) 69th UNGA
• D) 70th UNGA

Answer: C) 69th UNGA

Explanation: PM Narendra Modi proposed the International Day of Yoga at the 69th UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014. The UN adopted the resolution on December 11, 2014, and the first IDY was celebrated on June 21, 2015.