UGC to Establish Inter-University Centre for Yogic Sciences

University Grants Commission (UGC) is planning to begin an Inter-University Centre for Yogic Sciences in India after giving approval to postgraduate and undergraduate courses in the universities of the country.

According to the sources, UGC is examining the proposal submitted in this regard. The commission had asked all the institutes of the country to prioritise the International Yoga Day (IYD) celebrations. For review purpose, it had also directed the varsities to submit proof of the activities undertaken by the faculties and students.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the country in the third IYD celebration.

The commission formed a panel presided by the Dr. HR Nagendra, chancellor of the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana University situated in Bengaluru for judging the feasibility of the plan to establish an Inter-University Centre for Yogic Sciences in the country. A report has been submitted in this regard to the government. The government will soon make a final decision on the proposed centre.

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The proposed Yoga centre will satisfy all yogic requirements of colleges and universities. An official stated that the centre can be used as a place where experts will train the faculty members and make sure that they are well-versed with every shade of the discipline. It will also conduct collaborative research in the country as well as abroad.

UGC has shortlisted fifty-four universities for establishing yoga departments along with two institutions and three universities for national-level yoga science centres.

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Another UGC official revealed that six central universities will have yoga departments and each of these universities will be granted Rs. 10 crores for the same.

Last year, the UGC gave approval for courses like Ph.D. (yoga), PG diploma (yoga therapy), PG diploma (yoga), M.Sc (yoga) and B.Sc (yoga) in various institutes. It has also directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to turn yoga into one of its subjects in the National Eligibility Test and so far 7,279 students appeared for it this year on 22 January.