PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
INTERVIEW
Uttarakhand is known as the land where Yoga and Ayurveda originated. On the occasion of International Yoga Day (June 21) this year, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the State’s Yoga policy which made Uttarakhand the first State to do so. The Pioneer interacted with AYUSH secretary Dipendra Chaudhary on various aspects of the Yoga policy.
Q. What was the need for a Yoga policy in the State?
Uttarakhand is the land where sages in ancient times gave birth to profound Yogic practices. Despite this legacy, Yoga in the State lacked any structured or institutional support. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi bringing global recognition to Yoga, it became imperative for Uttarakhand to align its cultural, spiritual and economic potential through a robust policy framework. The Uttarakhand Yoga Policy 2025 announced by CM Dhami was born out of this necessity. Further, large number of Yoga centres were operating independently without registration or standardisation, affecting the quality, transparency and accountability of services. Educational institutions also lacked a uniform curriculum, leading to inconsistent training and difficulty in assessing the competency of instructors. Moreover, international accreditation agencies were certifying Yoga centres in places like Rishikesh, sidelining the Indian government’s Yoga Certification Board (YCB). The State has tremendous potential for Yoga, wellness and Panchakarma tourism but we lacked policy direction and institutional support. The Yoga Policy- 2025 seeks to streamline regulation, standardisation, certification, research, training, job creation and wellness tourism in the State.
Q. What is the objective of the Yoga policy of Uttarakhand?
The core objective of the policy is to establish Uttarakhand as the global capital of Yoga and wellness. It envisages actionable strategies and long-term financial commitment. The policy aims to integrate Yoga not just as a spiritual or personal practice but as a part of education, public health, research and economic development. It includes standardising curricula, certifying instructors, creating employment opportunities for youth and developing wellness hubs in rural areas. For effective implementation, a directorate of Yoga will be established in the State. The policy seeks to establish five international-level Yoga Hubs by 2030 and endeavours to ensure certified yoga instructors in all AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres by 2026. It also aims to complete registration of all Yoga institutions by December 2025 and launch an online Yoga and meditation platform by March 2026.
Q. Where will these Yoga Hubs be located and how are they defined?
Yoga Hubs are defined as centres where at least 80–100 people are employed primarily in Yoga and meditation services, including retreats, community activities, wellness programmes, and related training. Jageshwar, Mukteshwar, Vyas, Darma and Chaudans valleys in Pithoragarh, Tehri lake region and Koti Dhek lake area in Champawat are the five areas identified for Yoga hubs. The government will provide subsidies — Rs 20 lakh in mountainous regions and Rs 10 lakh for plains — disbursed in three instalments in these hubs.
How will the policy impact employment?
The policy is employment-centric. Over 13,000 individuals are expected to benefit from it. More than 2,500 instructors will be certified, and over 10,000 people will find work in homestays, resorts, and other wellness centres. The instructors clearing the YCB exam will be reimbursed for their examination fee.
Q. Will students also benefit from this policy?
Yes, Yoga is being integrated into school and college curricula. Students will participate in regular sessions and be encouraged to consider yoga as a career option. Similarly every Yoga-based research project will be eligible for a grant of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Q. How will small hotels and homestays benefit from the policy?
If a hotel or homestay hosts Yoga sessions with certified trainers, it will receive Rs 250 per hour for up to 20 hours a month for three months. This incentivises integration of Yoga into hospitality services.
Q. How will implementation and monitoring be done?
A new Directorate of Yoga and Naturopathy will be created under the AYUSH department to oversee registrations, certifications, quality standards, subsidies, and implementation. Similarly a star-rating system will be introduced and linked to a portal, allowing institutions to be evaluated based on transparency and quality standards.
Q. Is registration mandatory for Yoga institutions?
Yes, registration on the portal is compulsory and institutions must obtain certification from the YCB to be eligible for any policy benefits.
Q. What is the allocated budget for this policy?
A provision of Rs 35.31 crore over five years has been made. This includes, Rs 25 crore for Yoga and meditation centres, Rs one crore for research, Rs 1.81 crore for certification and Rs 7.5 crore for operational support and incentives
Q. What efforts are being made to promote yoga internationally?
MoUs will be signed with 15–20 leading national and international yoga organisations for collaboration in research, education, and employment. The State will also host major international yoga events, connecting Uttarakhand with the global yoga community.
Q. How does this policy align with tourism?
The tourism and AYUSH departments will work in synergy. Yoga will be made compulsory in homestays, converting them into wellness retreats. The rising global interest in yoga, meditation, and spiritual healing offers Uttarakhand the opportunity to emerge as a global wellness tourism hub.
Q. What role can the public play in making this policy successful?
Public participation is key. Citizens should incorporate Yoga into their daily lives, encourage their children to practice it in schools, and support local yoga activities. Greater community involvement in Yoga events at homestays, schools and colleges will strengthen the policy’s on-ground impact.
