11th International Yoga Day 2025 | 21 Jun 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

The 11th International Yoga Day (IYD) is celebrated worldwide on 21st June with the theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’. 

What is International Yoga Day? 

  • About: International Yoga Day, celebrated to raise awareness about yoga’s benefits for health, well-being, and peace. 
    • Its objectives are to promote physical, mental, and spiritual health, spread awareness of yoga as a gift of ancient Indian tradition, and encourage global harmony and peace through its practice. 
  • Origin & UN Declaration: It was proposed by India at the 69th UN General Assembly (2014), leading to declaration of 21st June as International Day of Yoga (IDY). 
    • The first IDY was celebrated in 2015 with the theme "Yoga for Harmony and Peace". 
  • Significance of 21st June: International Yoga Day on 21st June coincides with the Summer Solstice — the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere — when the sun’s rays fall directly on the Tropic of Cancer, bringing maximum daylight and marking a transition to spiritual awakening in yogic traditions. 
  • Global Recognition: UNESCO inscribed Yoga as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016. 
    • The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes Yoga as a tool for mental and physical well-being, combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and included it in its Global Action Plan (2018–30). 
    • In 2015, India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports classified Yoga as a ‘Priority’ sports discipline. 

What is Yoga? 

  • About: Yoga, derived from Sanskrit "Yuj" (to unite), symbolizes mind-body harmony. 
    • It traces its roots to the Indus Valley Civilization through seals (yogic posture on Pashupati seal) and fossils, is mentioned in the Vedas, and was systematically compiled in Patanjali’s Yogasutra (2nd century BC). 
    • Yoga is one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy (along with Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Mimamsa, Vedanta). 
  • Modern Relevance: Yoga promotes holistic health by enhancing physical flexibility, mental clarity, and stress relief; it was used for Covid-19 psycho-social rehabilitation, and is globally popular in forms like Hatha, Ashtanga, and Iyengar. 
  • India’s Initiatives Related to Yoga: M-Yoga App, Vocational Education Courses in Yoga, Part of Fit India Movement. 

 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Q. Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy? (2014)

(a) Mimamsa and Vedanta 

(b) Nyaya and Vaisheshika 

(c) Lokayata and Kapalika 

(d)  Sankhya and Yoga 

Ans: (c)  

Q.With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school: (2013) 

  1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul. 
  2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only  

(b) 2 only 

(c) Both 1 and 2  

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Ans: (b)