In a historic milestone ahead of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026, the Ministry of Ayush has set a new Guinness World Record for the Most Viewers of a YouTube Live Yoga Stream, attracting an unprecedented 435,831 participants from across the globe during a special online Yoga session broadcast through its official YouTube channel.
The achievement marks a significant moment in the global promotion of Yoga and reinforces India’s leadership in advancing holistic health and wellness practices worldwide. The record-setting event was organized as part of the Ministry’s outreach campaign for International Day of Yoga 2026 and featured the widely recognized Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), encouraging participants to embrace Yoga as a daily lifestyle practice under the Ministry’s flagship “Yoga 365” initiative.
According to Guinness World Records verification, the live session recorded 435,831 viewers, surpassing the previous record of 246,252 viewers established in 2024. The new benchmark exceeded the earlier record by 189,579 participants, setting a new global standard for online Yoga engagement.
Addressing the global audience, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, congratulated participants for contributing to the landmark accomplishment.
“Today’s achievement demonstrates the extraordinary power of Yoga to connect people across regions, cultures, and nations through a shared commitment to health and well-being,” he said. “This new Guinness World Record reflects the growing global acceptance of Yoga as a way of life and reinforces our collective resolve to make Yoga an integral part of daily living. As we move towards International Day of Yoga 2026, I encourage everyone to embrace the spirit of Yoga 365 and contribute to building a healthier, stronger, and more resilient society.”
Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, described the achievement as a reflection of Yoga’s expanding global influence.
“This accomplishment is not merely about setting a world record; it is about the message we are sending to the world,” he stated. “The overwhelming participation demonstrates the growing recognition of Yoga as a powerful tool for health and well-being. Our objective is to encourage people to adopt Yoga not as a one-day event, but as a lifelong practice and make Yoga 365 a reality.”
The programme also featured special messages from several distinguished leaders, including Odisha’s Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mukesh Mahaling, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. The leaders highlighted Yoga’s role in preventive healthcare, mental wellness, and holistic development while encouraging citizens to integrate Yoga into their daily routines.
The record-setting event was organized by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) and other partner organizations. Participants from India and numerous countries joined the live session and collectively performed the Common Yoga Protocol under expert guidance provided by the Habuild team.
The achievement comes as India prepares for the International Day of Yoga 2026, which will be observed under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing” (Swasth Ayu ke Liye Yoga). The theme highlights Yoga’s contribution to healthy longevity, improved quality of life, and enhanced physical, mental, and emotional well-being across all age groups.
The main International Day of Yoga 2026 celebrations will be held in Kolkata, bringing together Yoga practitioners, health professionals, policymakers, and wellness advocates from across India and around the world in a collective celebration of health, harmony, and sustainable well-being.
The Ministry of Ayush expressed gratitude to Yoga institutions, educational organizations, government departments, corporate partners, community groups, and members of the global Indian diaspora whose participation helped make the historic achievement possible.
As momentum builds toward International Day of Yoga 2026, the Ministry has renewed its call for citizens worldwide to embrace Yoga as a way of life and carry forward the message of “Har Ghar Yoga, Har Din Yoga” (Yoga in Every Home, Every Day), further strengthening the global movement for health, wellness, and preventive healthcare.
