18th October, 1920. It has been deemed university since 1963
Academics
Education
The Department of Yoga was established in 1995 at Gujarat Vidyapith, a prestigious institution founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. Its inception was part of a national initiative supported by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, and in collaboration with Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute, Lonavala – a pioneer in scientific research in Yoga, founded by Swami Kuvalayananda.
Gujarat Vidyapith was among the first seven universities chosen to implement the visionary recommendations of the Kothari Commission, emphasizing holistic education through physical, mental, and intellectual development. The establishment of the Department was inspired by the visionary leadership and forward-thinking approach of Shri Ramlalbhai Parikh, who served as the Vice-Chancellor at the time.
The Yoga Bhavan, the department's dedicated building, was inaugurated on 7th January 1996 by Shri Nalinbhai Bhatt, then Education Minister of Gujarat. Since its establishment, the department has grown into a leading center of Yoga education in Gujarat, contributing significantly to teaching, training, research, and community outreach in the field of Yogic science.
Over the past 25+ years, the Department of Yoga has flourished with the support of yoga enthusiasts, students, and the academic community, nurturing a generation of yoga professionals and researchers committed to integrating ancient yogic wisdom with modern scientific approaches.
Amidst the calm and nature-blessed surroundings of Gujarat Vidyapith, the Department of Yoga has flourished into a vibrant center of growth and service. What humbly began with the first yoga sessions for hostel students has blossomed into a remarkable journey of outreach and transformation. Today, the department’s presence resonates across every corner of Gujarat—touching lives through its dedicated efforts in yoga education, training, and holistic well-being, both directly and indirectly.
Over the years, the department has touched the lives of more than 70,000 individuals across Gujarat through a wide range of impactful programs. These include fitness camps, advanced yoga and therapy camps, state-level yoga training for secondary school teachers, and specialized stress management workshops for Class I and II government officers under the Karmayogi Yojana. Following the 2001 earthquake, the department conducted trauma-relief camps across Ahmedabad to help thousands overcome fear and emotional distress.
In continuation of this spirit, annual “Exam Fear Management” camps are held for school students, promoting confidence and mental resilience through yoga. As part of its extension activities, the department has reached out to underprivileged and marginalized communities, offering free yoga camps in municipal zones, old-age homes, and even prisons—ensuring that the transformative power of yoga reaches every stratum of society.
As a pioneering initiative in the field of yogic education, the Department of Yoga at Gujarat Vidyapith was the first in Gujarat to introduce a Post Graduate Diploma in Yoga, setting a benchmark for structured academic training in Yoga. In response to evolving educational and societal needs, the department gradually expanded its academic offerings—introducing a full-time Master’s program in Yoga, followed by a Ph.D. program, and a Diploma in Yoga and Alternative Therapy, which integrates traditional healing systems with contemporary therapeutic approaches.
Beyond its academic curriculum, the Department of Yoga also takes the lead in organizing Yoga training sessions for all undergraduate and postgraduate students across Gujarat Vidyapith, fostering the integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being into the broader educational experience.
In alignment with its holistic approach to student development, the department also runs a dedicated Counseling and Wellness Centre, providing psychological support, stress management strategies, and guidance grounded in yogic principles. This initiative plays a crucial role in promoting emotional resilience and mental well-being among students.
PG Diploma In Yoga
Intake: 30
Eligibility: Graduation and Above
Duration: 1 Year (2 Semesters)
Total Credit: 40
PG Programme
Intake: 60
Eligibility: Graduation (with 50%)
Duration: 2 Years
Course Credit: 20 Credit per Semester
Total Credit: 80
Diploma in Yoga and Alternative Therapy
Intake: 30
Eligibility: 12 Pass, 10+2 diploma in any stream
Duration: 6 months (150 hours)
Total Credit: 10
- Pioneer to start P.G. Diploma Course in Yoga in Gujarat State.
- Act as Nodal Agency to train primary and secondary teachers of Gujarat State for long term Residential Yoga training Prgramme.
- Employment & Self employment rate is more than 85%
- PGD & MYASc._Sem-2_MYOG – 207-શિક્ષણ પદ્ધતિઓ (Teaching Methods) (સૈદ્ધાંતિક)
- PGD & MYASc._Sem-2_MYOG – 206 પ્રાકૃતિક ચકિત્સાના સિદ્ધાંતો
- PGD & MYASc._Sem-2_MYOG – 205 આયુર્વેદના મૂળભૂત સિદ્ધાંતો
- PGD & MYASc._Sem-2_MYOG – 202 યોગ ચિકિત્સા
- PGD & MYASc._Sem-2_MYOG - 201-પતંજલિ યોગસૂત્ર
- MYASc._Sem-4_MYOG – 406 વૈકલ્પિક ચિકિત્સા
- MYASc._Sem-4_MYOG – 405-સમકાલીન યોગ અને ગાંધીવિચાર
- MYASc._Sem-4_MYOG - 401 ઉપનિષદ અને નારદ ભક્તિ સૂત્ર
