Admission Decline in Yoga Education in Higher Educational Institutions of Uttarakhand: A Threat to Sustainability and Livelihood Security

Uttarakhand is traditionally regarded as the spiritual and yogic heartland of India. Despite this strongcultural and geographical identity, recent trends indicate a steady decline in student enrolment informal yoga education programmes offered by higher educational institutions (HEIs). This studyexamines the admission pattern, institutional distribution, livelihood concerns, and futuresustainability of yoga education in Uttarakhand. Using institutional data, policy documents, admissionnotifications, and secondary sources, the paper highlights that although the number of yoga institutionsand programmes has increased, student participation has not grown proportionately. Limitedemployment opportunities, low remuneration, weak industry linkages, lack of standardized careerpathways, and mismatch between academic training and market demand have adversely affectedstudent interest. While the Uttarakhand Yoga Policy 2025 aims to promote yoga tourism and wellnessinfrastructure, the integration of academic yoga education with employability remains inadequate. Thestudy concludes that without systemic reforms in curriculum design, professional certificationalignment, and placement mechanisms, yoga education in Uttarakhand may face long-term instabilitydespite growing global demand for wellness services.