The Ministry of Ayush on Wednesday formally launched the countdown to the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) with a curtain raiser event at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, outlining a series of national and international programmes ahead of the main celebration on June 21 in Kolkata, West Bengal, to be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.International Yoga Day 2026 themeAddressing the media, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav announced that the theme for International Day of Yoga 2026 will be "Yoga for Healthy Ageing" (Swasth Ayu Ke Liye Yoga), highlighting yoga's role in promoting physical health, mental well-being and overall quality of life.Jadhav said increasing life expectancy around the world has made healthy and active ageing a key challenge of the present century.He noted that yoga offers a holistic and time-tested approach to supporting healthy ageing by helping individuals maintain physical fitness, mental wellness and independence throughout their lives.International Yoga Day timingsIn India, the synchronised mass yoga demonstrations are generally held in the morning, with the 45-minute Common Yoga Protocol conducted from 7 am to 7:45 am, followed by brief addresses or meditation sessions.International Yoga Day 2026 main venueKolkata will also host a series of events before the main celebration. On June 19, the city will organise the "Doud se Dhyan" programme focusing on the relationship between physical fitness and mental wellness. On June 20, programmes such as "Vande Yogam" and West Bengal Day celebrations will highlight the connection between yoga, cultural heritage and patriotism.The minister highlighted the ongoing "Gangotri to Gangasagar: Ganga Tat Yoga Yatra", being held from June 13 to June 20. The initiative covers locations including Gangotri, Haridwar, Varanasi, Patna, Hooghly and Gangasagar, and seeks to connect yoga with environmental awareness, river culture and community participation.Global participation plannedThe minister said yoga has evolved into a worldwide movement since the United Nations General Assembly adopted India's proposal for an International Day of Yoga in 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.He added that, in coordination with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, more than 210 Indian missions abroad will organise International Day of Yoga programmes at nearly 2,500 locations worldwide.According to the minister, the scale of participation reflects yoga's growing acceptance across countries, cultures and communities.Record participation ahead of celebrationsJadhav also announced that a nationwide live yoga session held on June 14 attracted more than four lakh participants simultaneously, setting a new Guinness World Record.He said the achievement demonstrated the increasing enthusiasm for yoga and the expanding reach of the movement.Events planned across IndiaThe minister informed that the Ministry of Culture will organise special yoga programmes at 100 iconic locations across the country as part of the celebrations.He said the initiative aims to bring together India's cultural heritage and yoga traditions through events designed to appeal to people across generations.The main national event will take place on June 21 at Kolkata's historic Red Road. Jadhav also highlighted a series of countdown programmes held in recent months, including the 100-day countdown in New Delhi, the 75-day event at Lonar in Maharashtra, the 50-day programme at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad and the 25-day countdown celebration in Khajuraho.