New Delhi: The Indian government plans to organize a national completion on yoga next year and give 500,000 rupees as the cash prize to the best performing student.

This was announced on Monday by Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani.

The minister also said government would introduce yoga as a compulsory subject from fifth to tenth grades and include it as a training module in teacher education programs.

Yoga would now be taught as a compulsory subject not only from Class VI to X in central government-run schools, but also as a training module in teacher education programs.

Releasing the syllabus and course material for the students, the minister said the subject would not put any additional burden on students as 80 marks would be reserved for practical.

“However, I want an assurance from students that they will perform the practical with full devotion,” Irani said at a function in New Delhi, a day after the International Yoga Day celebration which saw participation of hundreds of school students and teachers.

Later talking to reporters, she said, the states are free to decide on adopting it in their syllabus and to link with their course curriculum The Times of India reported.

Officials said Central Bureau of Secondary Education is yet to “devise” a strategy with regards to its implementation in the affiliated schools. The program would, however, be made mandatory in Kendriya Vidyalayas and the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.

Talking about the training module on yoga for teacher education program, Irani said, the aim is to produce a pool of trained teachers in yoga who meet the upcoming demands.

“We have prepared syllabus for teachers as well. One is diploma in yoga education, bachelors in yoga education and masters in yoga education,” she added.

National Council of Teacher Education, in its revised notification has made yoga a compulsory training module along with ICT, gender studies and inclusive education.

Irani, on the occasion, also informed that a mobile app will be launched on July 17 where NCERT books from class I to XII can be downloaded free.

A ‘Kala Utsav’ would also be organized in December at Connaught Place (Central Park) here where ethnic culture, song and dance would be showcased by students from across the country.