In a pioneering move, Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to implement a comprehensive yoga policy aimed at transforming the state into a global hub for yoga and wellness. The policy, approved by the state cabinet on late Wednesday, seeks to integrate yoga beyond spiritual and personal realms into a broader social, educational, economic, and tourism-based framework.
As per the policy, stringent rules and quality guidelines will be introduced for yoga institutes, while yoga will be formally included in school and college curricula. The government plans to partner with 15 to 20 national and international institutions for capacity building by March 2028.
The roadmap includes establishing world-class yoga centres, with five new yoga hubs to come up in Jageshwar, Mukteshwar, Vyas Valley, Tehri Lake, and Kolidhek Lake by 2030. Additionally, all AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres in the state will offer yoga services by March 2026.
To promote community well-being, the government will launch tailored mindfulness programmes targeting various age groups and social demographics. All yoga institutes will be mandated to register, and a dedicated online platform for yoga-related activities will be introduced. Promotional campaigns and international yoga conferences will also be organised to boost yoga tourism.
The policy includes financial incentives: newly established or expanding yoga centres in hill regions can avail up to 50 per cent of the project cost or ₹20 lakh, and those in plains can claim up to 25 per cent or ₹10 lakh. The total annual grant pool stands at ₹5 crore.
Furthermore, up to ₹10 lakh per project will be provided to universities, research institutions, AYUSH bodies, and NGOs to encourage research in yoga, meditation, and naturopathy. An allocation of ₹1 crore has been earmarked for research during the policy period.
Institutions such as homestays, hotels, schools, and colleges that host yoga sessions will be reimbursed ₹250 per session for instructors, for up to 20 sessions per month per instructor.
A Directorate of Yoga and Naturopathy will be established to monitor the operation, regulation, grant distribution and various activities of this entire policy. It will ensure the quality of yoga centres, register yoga institutes and get them recognized under the Yoga Certification Board, create a rating system for yoga centers and establish national and international cooperation through MoUs.
The government has earmarked ₹35 crore for the next five years, including ₹25 crore for developing yoga centres, ₹1 crore for research, ₹1.81 crore for teacher certification, and ₹7.5 crore to support yoga sessions in existing institutions.
The policy is expected to generate over 13,000 employment opportunities, including certification of 2,500 yoga teachers and potential employment for over 10,000 yoga instructors in tourism and hospitality sectors.
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