Now yoga departments in 6 central universities

Six central universities will have full-fledged Yoga departments from academic session 2016-17.

These universities are:

1. Hemwati Nandan Bahugana Garhwal University, Uttrakhand (North)

2. Viswa Bharti, West Bengal (East)

3. Central University of Rajasthan (West)

4. Central University of Kerala (South)

5. Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, Madya Pradesh,(Central)

6. Manipur University (North East)

Within a year, 20 more varsities will have the yoga department.

This was stated by Union Minister of Human Resource Development Smriti Zubin Irani while addressing a National Seminar on Yoga on 18 June.

"The action is in line with recommendations of a panel headed by Prof H R Nagendra, that had suggested various kind of courses ranging from certificate courses to Bachelor's, Masters and PhDs for yogic sciences," informed a release from the MHRD.

Academicians should come forward to establish scientific importance of Yogic Sciences through empirical evidences as has been done by IIT Khargpur recently, said Irani. She appreciated efforts of AICTE for holding workshops on Yoga in various cities across the country and IGNOU's active participation in yoga programmes through its fifty regional centers. She also said that IIM Ahmadabad, IITs, and NITs are also organising various activities to promote Yoga as way of life.

Union HRD Minister said that in view of significant role of Yoga to develop all faculties of life, the HRD ministry has taken steps to popularize yoga from school to University level. NCTE has been requested to work for capacity building among teachers for this purpose. She said that UGC has been asked to consider starting NET in Yogic Sciences.