Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Yoga has been an important part of India's traditional knowledge and wellness practices for centuries. To recognise individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to preserving, promoting and developing Yoga, the Government of India introduced the Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21 June 2016, the award honours people and institutions working to promote Yoga in India and across the world. Each award carries a cash prize of ₹25 lakh, along with a trophy and a certificate. Four awards are provided across two broad categories: Individuals and Institutions, covering both National and International contributions.

The award is administered by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. Its main objective is to encourage the wider adoption of Yoga, recognise sustained efforts in Yoga education and research, and acknowledge contributions towards improving physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The awards also highlight the importance of Yoga in promoting a healthy lifestyle and spreading awareness about India's traditional wellness practices globally.

The Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga are open to eligible individuals and institutions with significant experience and an outstanding track record in promoting and developing Yoga. Under the 2026 eligibility criteria, individual applicants must be at least 30 years old and have a minimum of 10 years of service in the field of Yoga. Applicants must also demonstrate a deep understanding of Yoga and sustained contributions to its development. Both National and International categories are available, with the latter recognising eligible Indian and foreign individuals and institutions.

Eligible applicants can submit their applications directly or be nominated by a recognised Yoga organisation through the National Awards Portal. The application process involves providing details of the applicant's experience, achievements and contributions to Yoga, along with supporting information required by the portal. The Ministry of Ayush uses a Screening Committee and an Evaluation Committee (Jury) to examine nominations and select award recipients. The application window for the 2026 edition opened on 21 February 2026 and has now closed. Applicants should check the latest official notification for future application dates and conditions.

For assistance or the latest information about the award, applicants can refer to the Ministry of Ayush website and the National Awards Portal. No separate award-specific helpline or email address was identified in the 2026 notification.

Readers interested in other programmes related to the Ayush sector can also explore the CCRAS SPARK Scholarship Scheme, which provides eligible BAMS students with ₹50,000 for a two-month Ayurveda research project. It offers an opportunity to learn about another programme under the Ministry of Ayush that supports research and the development of traditional Indian healthcare knowledge.

Scheme Benefits

The Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga recognise the valuable contributions of individuals and institutions towards promoting Yoga in India and across the world. Selected awardees receive the following benefits:

• Each selected awardee receives a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.
• A trophy is presented to recognise the awardee's contribution to Yoga.
• Each awardee also receives an official certificate of recognition from the Government of India.
• The award provides national and international recognition for outstanding work in Yoga promotion and development.
• It encourages individuals and institutions to continue their efforts in Yoga education, research, training and public awareness.
• It helps bring greater visibility to organisations and individuals contributing to the global promotion of India's traditional Yoga practices.

A total of four awards are provided across the Individual and Institution categories at National and International levels. In case of joint awardees, the cash prize is shared among them as per the applicable guidelines.

Award Categories

The Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga recognise contributions made by both individuals and institutions in India and abroad. The awards are given in four categories:

• National Individual Award: For an individual of Indian origin who has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion and development of Yoga in India.
• International Individual Award: For an individual of Indian or foreign origin who has made a significant contribution to promoting and developing Yoga internationally.
• National Institution Award: For an institution of Indian origin that has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion and development of Yoga in India.
• International Institution Award: For an institution of Indian or foreign origin that has contributed significantly to the promotion and development of Yoga at the international level.

A total of four awards are provided across these categories: two at the national level and two at the international level, covering individuals and institutions.

Eligibility Requirements

The Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga are intended for individuals and institutions that have made a significant and sustained contribution to promoting and developing Yoga. Applicants must have a good understanding of Yoga and a strong record of work in this field. The eligibility requirements for the 2026 edition are as follows:

• Individuals and institutions with significant contributions to the promotion and development of Yoga can apply or be nominated.
• Individual applicants must be at least 30 years old to be considered for either the National or International Individual Award.
• Individual applicants must have at least 10 years of service in the field of Yoga.
• Applicants or nominees must have rich experience and a deep understanding of Yoga.
• They must have an excellent track record and have made outstanding contributions to the promotion and development of Yoga.
• Both Indian and foreign individuals or institutions can be considered under the International Award category, subject to the applicable guidelines.
• Applicants can apply directly or be nominated by a recognised Yoga organisation.

The age and service requirements mentioned above apply to the 2026 edition. Applicants should check the latest notification from the Ministry of Ayush before applying for a future edition, as the eligibility conditions may change.

Required Documents

Applicants should provide complete and accurate information about their background, experience and contribution to the promotion and development of Yoga. Before submitting an application for the Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga, keep the following details and supporting documents ready, as applicable:

• Recent photograph of the individual applicant or authorised representative of the institution, if requested in the application form.
• Proof of identity and date of birth for individual applicants.
• Registration certificate or other relevant documents showing the legal status of the institution, where applicable.
• Details of experience and years of service in the field of Yoga.
• A brief description of the applicant's work and contribution to the promotion and development of Yoga.
• Supporting documents such as certificates, publications, research work, reports, photographs or other records that demonstrate the applicant's achievements.
• Details of awards, recognitions or other honours received for work related to Yoga, if any.
• Contact details, including email address, phone number and postal address.

Selection Process

The Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga follow a two-stage selection process. The Ministry of Ayush sets up two committees to review applications and select individuals and institutions with outstanding contributions to the promotion and development of Yoga.

• The Screening Committee conducts the initial review of applications and nominations. It examines the details submitted by applicants and identifies suitable candidates for further consideration.
• The Evaluation Committee, also known as the Jury, considers the candidates shortlisted by the Screening Committee. It evaluates their contributions and recommends the final award recipients.

The Evaluation Committee is the final decision-making body in the selection process. The Ministry of Ayush announces the selected awardees through official channels.

Steps to Apply

The application process for the Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga is conducted online. Individuals and institutions can submit their applications directly or be nominated by a recognised Yoga organisation. The 2026 application window has closed, but the following steps explain how the application process worked and what applicants should follow when the next edition opens.

1. Open the National Awards Portal. This is the Government of India's portal where the Ministry of Ayush listed the 2026 Yoga Awards.
2. On the portal, look for the Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga. Open the award details and check the eligibility conditions, application instructions and important dates for that year.
3. Choose whether you are applying for yourself or submitting a nomination for another eligible individual or institution, as permitted by the application form.
4. Select the appropriate award category. The awards cover National and International categories for both individuals and institutions. Make sure you choose the category that matches the applicant's background and place of work.
5. Fill in the application form with the required personal or institutional details, Yoga-related experience and information about the contribution made to the promotion and development of Yoga.
6. Add the supporting information and documents requested in the form. Include relevant details of achievements, awards, research, activities and other work that demonstrate the applicant's contribution.
7. Review the application carefully and submit it through the portal before the closing date. Keep a copy of the submitted application or acknowledgement for future reference.

After submission, the Ministry of Ayush screens the applications through a Screening Committee. Shortlisted applications are then considered by the Evaluation Committee (Jury), which recommends the awardees.

The application period for the 2026 edition opened on 21 February 2026. The Ministry's handbook listed 5 April 2026 as the submission deadline. Applications for this edition are now closed. Applicants interested in the next edition should check the National Awards Portal and announcements from the Ministry of Ayush for updated dates and instructions.

Relevant Links

• Ministry of Ayush
• National Awards Portal
• Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga 2026 Handbook
• Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga 2025 Guidelines
• PIB Notification for Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga 2026

Contact Information

For queries related to the Prime Minister's Awards for Yoga, applicants can contact the Ministry of Ayush's award helpdesk or the designated nodal officer.

Ministry of Ayush, Government of India

• Helpdesk Phone: 011-20815346
• Email: [email protected]
• Nodal Officer: Dr. Ram Narayan Mishra
• Helpdesk Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday
• Address: Ayush Bhawan, B-Block, GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi – 110023.