Lok Sabha Question No. 4619 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-30
Subject: Promotion of Yoga
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: PARVESH SAHIB SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4619 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2017

## Promotion of Yoga

4619. SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports proposes to take any steps for the promotion of yoga within its existing structure/infrastructure in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to include yoga in the curriculum in all sports related educational institutions and school education as well; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

(a) & (b): The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports observed International Day of  Yoga  on  21st  June  during  2015  and  2016  through  its  field  organizations namely,  Nehru  Yuva  Kendra  Sangathan  (NYKS),  National  Service  Scheme (NSS)  and Rajiv  Gandhi  National  Institute  of Youth Development  (RGNIYD). NYKS observed International Day of Yoga at State, District, Block and Village levels across India in a befitting manner.  In its programmes, trained youth demonstrated  Yoga  as  per  Common  yoga  Protocol.    NSS  also  observed International  Day  of  Yoga  in  Universities,  Colleges  and  Schools  across  the country in a befitting manner. In Special Camps of NSS, a Yoga Session is held every morning as an integral part of the programme.  For promotion of Yoga  in  the  country,  the  volunteers  of  NSS  and  NYKS  undertake  various activities viz. exhibition on Yoga, Youth Convention, Lectures by Experts on different aspects of Yoga, etc.

(c) & (d): The  National  Curriculum  Framework  (NCF),  2005  recommended Yoga  as  an  integral  part  of  Health  and  Physical  Education.  Health  and Physical  Education  is  a  compulsory  subject  from  Class  I  to  Class  X  and optional from Class XI to XII.  According to National Curriculum Framework 2005, 'the entire group (Health and Physical Education and Yoga) must be taken together as a comprehensive Health and Physical Education Curriculum, replacing the fragmentary approach current in schools today.  As a core part of the curriculum, time allocated for games and for yoga must not be reduced or taken away under any circumstances'.

NCERT (National Council for Educational Research and Training) has already  developed  integrated  syllabi  on  Health  and  Physical  Education  for Class I to Class X.   The content of Yoga has been included in the curriculum from Class VI onward. A separate syllabus on Yoga from Upper Primary to Secondary  Stage  has  been  developed.   On  the  eve  of  International  Day  of Yoga,  NCERT  brought  out  the  following  two  textual  materials  for  Upper Primary (VI to VIII) and Secondary Stages (IX & X):

-    Yoga: A Healthy Way of Living (Upper Primary stage) and
-    Yoga: A Healthy Way of Living (Secondary Stage)

NCERT also organised Yoga  Olympiad during 2016  involving  students  from school to national level.

CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) offers a compulsory area titled 'Health and Physical Education' in classes VI-XII which includes Yoga, indigenous sports, NCC, etc. The Board has directed the Schools to allot a regular period for the same and the performance in this area is reflected in the final certificate issued by the Board at the end of classes X and XII.

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