The Yoga Federation of India (YFI) has announced that it will begin the process of seeking fresh recognition from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports while also moving to restore its affiliation with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) after a recent Delhi High Court ruling on the governance of Yogasana in India.

The development follows a landmark judgment in which the Delhi High Court set aside the recognition granted to Yogasana Bharat as the National Sports Federation (NSF) for Yogasana. The court directed the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to conduct a fresh recognition process in accordance with the National Sports Development Code, ensuring transparency, fairness and legal compliance.

Federation to begin fresh recognition process

Established in 1974, the Yoga Federation of India has been involved in the promotion of competitive Yogasana for over five decades. The federation has organised district, state and national championships, developed technical standards, trained athletes and officials, and worked towards expanding the sport at both national and international levels.

Following the court’s directions, YFI said it will submit a fresh application to the Ministry while simultaneously initiating the process to restore its affiliation with the IOA. The federation expressed confidence that the recognition exercise would be conducted objectively and provide equal opportunities to all eligible organisations.

As part of its roadmap, YFI plans to seek meetings with Indian Olympic Association president P.T. Usha and Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya to present its long-term vision for the development of competitive Yogasana and discuss restoring institutional recognition.

Speaking on the development, Dr. Anirudh Gupta, President of the Yoga Federation of India, said, “The Hon’ble Delhi High Court’s judgment presents an important opportunity to strengthen the future of Yogasana through transparency, credibility and good governance. The Yoga Federation of India will fully participate in the fresh recognition process and initiate the restoration of its affiliation with the Indian Olympic Association. Our focus remains firmly on our athletes. Preparations for the 11th Asian Yoga Championship 2027 are already underway, and we are committed to building a strong Indian team while working with the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the Indian Olympic Association and all stakeholders to establish India as the global leader in competitive Yogasana.”

Focus remains on athletes and Asian Championship

The federation reiterated that athlete development remains its top priority despite the ongoing recognition process. It confirmed that preparations have already begun for the 11th Asian Yoga Championship 2027, organised by the Asian Yoga Federation, with participants expected from 17 Asian countries. YFI has already started identifying and preparing athletes to represent India at the continental event.

Also speaking on the development, Dr. Abhinav Joshi, Secretary General, Yoga Federation of India said, “The Yoga Federation of India, established in 1974 with Shri Ashok Kumar Aggarwal as one of its founding leaders, has dedicated more than five decades to the promotion of competitive Yogasana and the welfare of athletes. We welcomed the Government of India’s 2019 initiative to recognize Yogasana as a sport and to create a unified national structure. However, in our considered view, the process did not ultimately deliver the broad-based, inclusive and democratic governance that many long-standing yoga organizations had expected. and hijacked by Patanjali yoga and now Yogasana Bharat become Yogasana Patanjali. Consequently, the Yoga Federation of India chose to withdraw from that process.

The Hon’ble Delhi High Court has now opened the door to a fresh start. We urge the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to ensure that the new recognition process is transparent, impartial and strictly in accordance with the National Sports Development Code. We have complete faith that a fair process will ultimately benefit Indian Yoga Sports and, above all, its athletes.”

FAQ

Q1. Why is the Yoga Federation of India seeking fresh recognition?
The Delhi High Court ordered a fresh recognition process for Yogasana under the National Sports Development Code.

Q2. What is YFI’s immediate priority?
The federation will seek recognition while continuing preparations for the 11th Asian Yoga Championship 2027.