Ministry of Ayush runs free yoga sessions

India’s Ministry of Ayush is using the run-up to International Day of Yoga 2026 to push a nationwide participation campaign built around free online classes. A May 20 government-linked notice said the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, or MDNIY, is conducting “100 Days Free Live Yoga Sessions” as part of the lead-up to the 12th International Day of Yoga. (dip.goa.gov.in) The sessions are being run under the ministry’s broader Yoga 365 campaign, according to Indian government and consular notices. The annual UN-backed observance is held on June 21. (indiahouseinc.org) ### How is the Indian government structuring the yoga push this year? MDNIY, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Ayush, signed a memorandum of understanding with Habuild Health Tech Private Limited on March 13, 2026, during Yoga Mahotsav, which marked the 100-day countdown to International Day of Yoga 2026. Government notices said that partnership was set up to deliver the free live sessions to the public. An April 7 notice from the Consulate General of India in Chicago said the campaign would include 14-day structured live yoga sessions running through the 100-day period. (dip.goa.gov.in) The same notice described the effort as part of the Yoga 365 campaign by the Ministry of Ayush, MDNIY and Habuild. ### What exactly is MDNIY? MDNIY describes itself as a yoga education, research and training institute operating under India’s Ministry of Ayush. Its official website says the institute promotes holistic wellness through yoga education, research and training. (dip.goa.gov.in) The May 20 notice identified MDNIY as the ministry’s implementing body for the free-session initiative. That makes the institute the operational arm of this year’s online public outreach effort, based on the government notices reviewed. ### Why does June 21 matter here? (cgichicago.gov.in) The United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga on Dec. 11, 2014, according to the UN observance page and archived reporting from The Tribune. The UN says the resolution was proposed by India and endorsed by 175 member states. (yogamdniy.nic.in) The UN’s current observance page says International Yoga Day is intended to raise awareness worldwide of the benefits of practicing yoga. A World Health Organization regional page separately says the annual observance marks a practice aimed at supporting physical, mental and spiritual well-being. (dip.goa.gov.in) ### Is this only happening in India? Houston-area organizers are also advertising local programming tied to the observance. India House Houston lists an “International Day of Yoga 2026” event for June 16, 2026, on its website, and the Brays Oaks Management District published a notice this week pointing readers to that event. (un.org) A separate report from New India Abroad said the Consulate General of India in Houston plans to host another International Day of Yoga event on June 20 at Midtown Park. That notice said the session would run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and would be open to all age groups. (un.org) ### What happens next? June 16 is the date listed by India House Houston for its community yoga event, while June 20 is the date cited for the Houston consulate-backed program at Midtown Park. June 21 is the official UN observance date for International Day of Yoga. (indiahouseinc.org) India’s free online sessions are continuing through the 100-day countdown period under the Ministry of Ayush campaign, according to the government notices. (newindiaabroad.com)