CM Yogi Hails AYUSH Ministry on International Yoga Day
Synopsis
On International Yoga Day 2026, CM Yogi Adityanath praised PM Modi for institutionalising India's traditional medicine through the Ministry of AYUSH, calling greater adoption of these systems beneficial for individuals and the nation alike.
Key Takeaways
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh shared CM Yogi Adityanath's remarks on International Yoga Day, 21 June 2026 .
CM Yogi credited PM Narendra Modi with giving India's traditional medicine its first formal recognition through the Ministry of AYUSH , formed in November 2014 .
The Ministry of AYUSH covers Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy and operates with its own dedicated budget and research councils.
International Yoga Day was proposed by India at the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2014 and first observed globally on 21 June 2015 .
Uttar Pradesh has expanded AYUSH colleges, hospitals and public-health outreach under CM Yogi's administration, mirroring central policy.
Budget allocations for AYUSH infrastructure in 2026-27 and integration into primary health centres are the key policy developments to watch.
On International Yoga Day, 21 June 2026, the Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh shared remarks by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi with giving India's traditional medicine its first formal institutional recognition through the creation of the Ministry of AYUSH.
Context
Speaking on the occasion of International Yoga Day, CM Yogi Adityanath stated — 'Bharat ki traditional medicine ko Pradhanmantri ji ne pehli baar desh ke andar AYUSH Mantralaya ke roop mein manyata di' — ('For the first time in the country, the Prime Minister gave recognition to India's traditional medicine in the form of the Ministry of AYUSH'). He added that greater adoption of these systems would prove beneficial both for individuals and for the nation.
The remarks were shared by the official CMO UP handle on 21 June 2026, the 12th International Day of Yoga, and accompanied by an image.
Policy Backdrop
In November 2014, the Government of India upgraded the Department of AYUSH — covering Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy — into a full-fledged ministry, giving it dedicated policy focus, research councils and independent budget allocations for the first time.
The push for International Yoga Day itself originated at the same moment: India proposed the observance at the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2014, the resolution was adopted unanimously, and the first global observance was held on 21 June 2015. The two moves are widely seen as twin pillars of the central government's effort to institutionalise India's wellness heritage.
Stakeholders and Impact
Uttar Pradesh has been among the states most active in mirroring central AYUSH policy, expanding AYUSH colleges, hospitals and public-health outreach programmes under CM Yogi's administration. Practitioners of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy across the state stand as direct beneficiaries of the institutional and funding support that the ministry has channelled.
The broader wellness and yoga sector — spanning training institutes, medicinal herb cultivators and pharmaceutical manufacturers operating under the AYUSH framework — has grown significantly since 2014, with Uttar Pradesh positioning itself as a hub for both AYUSH education and agro-based medicinal production.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to Union and state budget allocations for AYUSH colleges, hospitals and research councils in 2026-27, as well as any new guidelines on integrating traditional medicine into primary health centres across Uttar Pradesh. CM Yogi's public endorsement on a high-visibility occasion like International Yoga Day signals continued political priority for AYUSH integration within the state's public health architecture.
As India deepens its push to position traditional medicine alongside modern healthcare, the alignment between Lucknow and New Delhi on AYUSH policy is likely to translate into expanded infrastructure and community outreach in the months ahead.
Point of View
Reinforcing BJP's narrative of cultural-institutional continuity. The remarks arrive at a moment when AYUSH's share of public health budgets is under scrutiny, lending the endorsement a defensive as well as celebratory quality. For Uttar Pradesh, aligning visibly with central AYUSH priorities also serves a practical purpose: it signals to the Centre that the state is a willing partner for expanded AYUSH funding and infrastructure. The broader arc here is the gradual mainstreaming of traditional medicine within India's pluralistic health system — a project that Yoga Day annually amplifies on a global stage.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CM Yogi Adityanath say on International Yoga Day 2026?
CM Yogi Adityanath said that PM Modi gave India's traditional medicine its first formal recognition by establishing the Ministry of AYUSH, and that greater use of these systems would benefit both individuals and the nation.
When was the Ministry of AYUSH formed in India?
The Ministry of AYUSH was formed in November 2014 when the Government of India upgraded the existing Department of AYUSH to a full-fledged ministry with dedicated policy focus and budget allocations.
What does AYUSH stand for?
AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy — the traditional and alternative medicine systems that the ministry oversees and promotes in India.
When is International Yoga Day and who proposed it?
International Yoga Day is observed every year on 21 June . It was proposed by India at the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2014 and first observed globally on 21 June 2015 .
What is Uttar Pradesh doing to promote AYUSH?
Under CM Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has expanded AYUSH colleges, hospitals and public-health outreach programmes, positioning the state as a hub for AYUSH education and agro-based medicinal production in line with central government policy.
