HRD ministry to setup Yoga Departments in six central varsities this year

Smriti Irani said the decision has been taken on basis of recommendations of a UGC committee

Days ahead on the NDA government's flagship initiative 'International Yoga Day', Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday said that the ministry has decided to setup a 'Yoga Department' in the six central universities during this academic year.

Speaking to the media at the first ever 'Yoga Olympiad' for all government schools ahead of the International Yoga Day, Irani said the decision has been taken on basis of recommendations of a UGC committee, which was setup to explore the feasibility of Yoga studies in higher education institutions.

"Last year, during the International Yoga Day, we had not only organised a competition for school children through NCERT, but also proposed introducing Yoga in B.Ed and M.Ed curriculum. This year, in a bid to introduce it in higher education, UGC had formed a committee and it has made its recommendations to the government," she said.

"Based on these recommendations, we have decided to either setup a new Yoga department or revamp it in six central universities in the current academic year," she added.

The six central universities where the initiative would be introduced are — Central University in Uttarakhand, Central University in Kerala, Central University in Manipur, and Central University in Rajasthan and Central University in Amarkatnak.

NCERT's 'Yoga Olympiad', which began on Saturday, would conclude on the eve of the Yoga Day with the HRD Minister set taking part in the award ceremony.