Academic pressure, competition, and lifestyle changes have led to a rising trend in mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and burnout among students and teachers alike. NEP 2020 lays greater emphasis on holistic development, stress-free learning, and the integration of Indian knowledge systems into education. Yoga has emerged as a time-tested mind–body discipline that has received scientific recognition for its role in promoting mental wellbeing. The present study intends to systematically review existing empirical studies relating to yoga-based interventions for mental health in educational settings and analyze their relevance to the objectives of NEP 2020. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2024 are retrieved by a systematic search of major academic databases following PRISMA guidelines. Structured yoga programs decrease significantly the levels of stress and anxiety, improve attention and emotional self-regulation, sleep quality, and overall psychological well-being of students and teachers. Integrated yoga modules of asanas, pranayama, and meditation were noted to be more effective compared to isolated practices. The review concludes that yoga is a scientifically supported, culturally rooted, and policy-aligned intervention capable of fostering stress-free learning environ
Pratibha Bhaskar Dhake (Fri,) studied this question.