Ayush Ministry Sets Guinness World Record as 4.35 Lakh Join Global Live Yoga Session

In a remarkable achievement ahead of the International Day of Yoga 2026 , the Ministry of Ayush has entered the Guinness World Records by hosting the largest ever YouTube live yoga session, drawing an unprecedented 4,35,831 verified viewers from across the world.

The record breaking event, streamed through the Ministry's official YouTube channel, brought together yoga practitioners, students, professionals, institutions and wellness enthusiasts in a collective celebration of health and well-being. Participants from India and several other countries joined the virtual session, performing the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) as part of the government's ongoing Yoga 365 campaign.

The new milestone comfortably surpassed the previous Guinness World Record of 2,46,252 viewers , established in 2024. With an additional 1,89,579 participants , the latest event set a new global benchmark for the largest audience ever recorded for a live yoga stream on YouTube.

Congratulating participants on the achievement, Prataprao Jadhav , Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, described the record as a reflection of yoga's growing influence across the world.

He noted that the achievement demonstrated yoga's unique ability to connect people beyond geographical and cultural boundaries through a shared commitment to health and wellness. Emphasising the vision behind the Yoga 365 initiative , he urged citizens to make yoga a regular part of daily life rather than limiting it to a single annual observance.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha , Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, said the accomplishment was about more than setting a world record. According to him, the overwhelming participation highlighted the increasing global recognition of yoga as a powerful tool for physical, mental and emotional well-being. He stressed that the larger objective remains encouraging people to embrace yoga as a lifelong practice.

The programme also featured special messages from several prominent leaders, including Kiren Rijiju , Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Mukesh Mahaling , Odisha's Health and Family Welfare Minister, and Mohan Yadav , Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. They collectively underscored yoga's role in preventive healthcare and holistic wellness while encouraging people to incorporate it into their daily routines.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) and other partner organisations. Expert guidance during the live session was provided by the Habuild team , helping participants follow the Common Yoga Protocol in a coordinated manner.

The achievement comes as India prepares to celebrate the International Day of Yoga 2026 under the theme "Yoga for Healthy Ageing" , which highlights yoga's contribution to healthy longevity and improved quality of life across all age groups. The main celebrations are scheduled to take place in Kolkata, West Bengal, on June 21 , where yoga enthusiasts, practitioners and stakeholders from across the country are expected to gather.

Expressing gratitude to yoga institutions, educational organisations, government departments, corporate bodies, social groups and members of the global Indian diaspora , the Ministry of Ayush credited their enthusiastic participation for making the historic achievement possible.

As the countdown to International Day of Yoga continues, the ministry has renewed its call for citizens to embrace the message of "Har Ghar Yoga, Har Din Yoga" , reinforcing yoga's place as a way of life rather than just an annual celebration.