Yoga made mandatory for Civil Services recruits as a part of their training

All Indian Civil Services recruits will now have to undergo mandatory yoga classes as part of their training.

This was announced by AYUSH Minister Sripad Naik on Thursday at a gathering during the second day of International Yoga Conference being organised by the ministry in New Delhi. Secretary AYUSH, Ajit M Sharan, said, "The academy in Mussoorie has always been imparting training in Yoga. So far it was optional but now it will be made mandatory."

The 2016 batch will start its 15-week-long induction programme at Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie from August 22. The compulsory training for civil servants follows efforts to introduce yoga training for military, paramilitary as well as police personnel.