NDMC's 12th International Day of Yoga draws 6,000 at 9 Delhi venues
Synopsis
New Delhi's civic body turned nine of the capital's most prominent public spaces into yoga venues on 21 June, drawing 6,000 participants for the 12th International Day of Yoga. With two Union Ministers on the mat and eight yoga institutions co-organising, NDMC's multi-venue model shows how municipal bodies are becoming frontline delivery arms of India's national wellness agenda.
Key Takeaways
NDMC organised 12th International Day of Yoga events on 21 June 2026 across 9 locations in New Delhi.
Approximately 6,000 participants took part, following the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing' .
Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda participated at Shanti Path ; Union Minister of State Raj Bhushan Chaudhary joined at Lodhi Garden .
NDMC Chairperson Keshav Chandra led the common yoga protocol at PSOI, Chanakyapuri .
Sessions were also held at the NDMC Old Age Home , Working Women Hostel , AYUSH Units , and Resident Welfare Associations beyond the nine main venues.
NDMC collaborated with 8 yoga institutions including Art of Living, Patanjali Yoga Samiti, Isha Yoga Centre, and the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) marked the 12th International Day of Yoga on 21 June 2026 with mass yoga sessions across nine locations in New Delhi, drawing approximately 6,000 participants. Organised in coordination with the Ministry of Ayush and eight yoga institutions, the events followed this year's theme of 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'.
Key Events and Venues
NDMC Chairperson Keshav Chandra led participants through the common yoga protocol at the Palika Services Officers' Institute (PSOI), Chanakyapuri, accompanied by volunteers from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and senior NDMC officers and staff. The nine primary venues included Lodhi Garden, Talkatora Garden, Kartavya Path, IAS Residential Complex (New Moti Bagh), Sanjay Jheel (Laxmi Bai Nagar), Pandara Park, Palika Park (Connaught Place), and PSOI, Chanakyapuri.
Ministers Join the Celebrations
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda, along with the Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush and volunteers from Art of Living, participated in the NDMC-organised programme at Shanti Path. Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary took part in the yoga protocol session held at Lodhi Garden. NDMC Council Member Anil Valmiki joined local residents, volunteers, and NDMC staff at Valmiki Sadan, Mandir Marg.
What Officials Said
Addressing participants, Chairperson Chandra underscored the need to embed yoga in everyday life: 'Yoga is not merely a practice for a single day; it is a way of life that should become an integral part of our daily routine.' He added that 'beginning each day with yoga helps cultivate physical fitness, mental clarity, and inner balance,' and that in 'today's fast-paced world, embracing yoga is essential for achieving holistic well-being, resilience, and sustained energy in our everyday activities.'
Council Member Valmiki said the programme reflected NDMC's commitment to promoting 'a healthy lifestyle, holistic well-being, and a culture of wellness among its employees and citizens.'
Reach Beyond the Nine Venues
Beyond the nine flagship locations, yoga protocol sessions were also conducted at the NDMC Old Age Home, Working Women Hostel, AYUSH Units, Resident Welfare Associations, and various NDMC offices — extending the initiative's reach to a wider cross-section of the capital's residents. The NDMC partnered with Art of Living, Patanjali Yoga Samiti, Gayatri Parivar, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Isha Yoga Centre, The Yoga Guru Institute, Mokshayatan Yog Sansthan, and the International Naturopathy Organisation to execute the events. As India's annual yoga observance grows in scale, the NDMC's multi-venue model — anchored in central Delhi's most prominent public spaces — sets a template for civic-body participation in national wellness campaigns.
Point of View
Not passive observers. The inclusion of two Union Ministers and eight partner institutions suggests the Ministry of Ayush is institutionalising yoga observance at the local-body level, which could deepen reach but also risks turning a public health message into a ceremonial exercise. The real measure of success is not footfall on one day but whether NDMC's AYUSH units and old-age homes sustain programming through the year.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people participated in NDMC's International Day of Yoga 2026 events?
Around 6,000 people participated in NDMC's International Day of Yoga events on 21 June 2026. The sessions were held across nine locations in New Delhi in coordination with the Ministry of Ayush and eight yoga institutions.
What was the theme of the 12th International Day of Yoga?
The theme for the 12th International Day of Yoga was 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing.' Participants at all nine NDMC venues followed the common yoga protocol aligned with this theme.
Which Union Ministers attended the NDMC yoga events?
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda participated at Shanti Path, while Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary joined the session at Lodhi Garden.
Where were the main NDMC International Day of Yoga events held?
The nine primary venues were Lodhi Garden, Talkatora Garden, Kartavya Path, IAS Residential Complex (New Moti Bagh), Sanjay Jheel (Laxmi Bai Nagar), Pandara Park, Palika Park (Connaught Place), and PSOI Chanakyapuri. Additional sessions were held at the NDMC Old Age Home, Working Women Hostel, AYUSH Units, and Resident Welfare Associations.
Which yoga organisations partnered with NDMC for Yoga Day 2026?
NDMC collaborated with eight institutions: Art of Living, Patanjali Yoga Samiti, Gayatri Parivar, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Isha Yoga Centre, The Yoga Guru Institute, Mokshayatan Yog Sansthan, and the International Naturopathy Organisation.
