International Yoga Day 2026: Millions to Participate as PM Modi Leads Celebrations in Kolkata

India is set for one of its largest-ever International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026 celebrations on June 21, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the national event from Red Road in Kolkata under the theme "Yoga for Healthy Ageing."

Officials said around 35,000 participants are expected at the Kolkata event, while more than six lakh organisations have registered to perform yoga alongside the Prime Minister through the nationwide Yoga Sangam initiative.

Mass participation is expected across the country. In Uttar Pradesh , over 1.43 crore students from government schools are set to join Yoga Day programmes. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will organise large-scale events, with Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and actor Akshay Kumar leading a gathering of around 15,000 participants . The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is also conducting yoga sessions across its centres.

Several senior leaders will participate in celebrations nationwide. In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will join yoga guru Baba Ramdev , while former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy are expected at events in Hyderabad.

The Indian Air Force will host yoga sessions at more than 100 locations , from Leh to Car Nicobar , while athletes in Jammu and Kashmir have showcased floating yoga demonstrations ahead of the event. In New Delhi, around 1,500 senior citizens will participate in special sessions at Bharat Mandapam , reflecting this year's focus on healthy ageing.

Yoga Day celebrations will also extend beyond India, with programmes planned at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. , the United Nations headquarters , and several international venues.

Adding a scientific dimension to the observance, a recent AIIMS study suggested yoga may improve cognition, reduce depression, support gut health, and potentially benefit people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

However, the celebrations have also sparked political debate, with the Congress opposing a Goa government circular that reportedly made attendance at Yoga Day events mandatory for students and teachers.

Since its adoption by the United Nations in 2014, Yoga Day has evolved into a global wellness movement, and IDY 2026 is expected to witness record participation across India and abroad.